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By C. J. Bise

One area of study for the Coal Mine Injury Analysis project was to illustrate how loss control can be used as a foundation for mine safety training. After an initial review of the principles of loss control, the instruments often used for worker/worksite appraisal, such as incident reporting, analysis, and investigation, workplace observation, worksite inspection, and safety audits and checklists were evaluated for their effectiveness. The findings were then applied to the continuous-miner worksite at several mines to modify the techniques for use in a highly dynamic man/machine work environment. Before the information gathered from the review of the various continuous-miner worksites was presented at the annual retraining sessions at five mines, a trainability analysis procedure was developed to separate training shortcomings from those problems resulting from improper equipment design or unsatisfactory working environments. Also, several microcomputer-based training programs were developed to aid in conveying the loss-control concepts to the trainees. Finally, the results from the implementation and evaluation of the loss-control-based training programs were documented, including the complete training script for one of the case-study mines. The procedures outlined in this study will aid mine training specialists in developing focused, pro-active accident-prevention strategies and training programs that are based on sound loss-control principles.

Jan 1, 1993

By W. S. Sanner

Anthracite was used extensively as a fuel in iron metallurgy from 1840 to 1880. In 1874, 226 of the 680 blast furnaces in the United States were operating on anthracite and producing almost one-half of the Nation's pig iron. However, by 1890, railroad expansion, the development of western iron-ore reserves, and the growing use of coke decreased the importance of anthracite as a metallurgical fuel. As a result, the last blast furnace designed exclusively for anthracite use was built in 1891. Because of the increased energy requirements of our expanding national economy, the abnormally high demands during national emergencies, and the proximity of anthracite deposits to eastern steel-producing areas, interest has grown in again using anthracite in iron metallurgy. Estimates of anthracite reserves indicate a 300-yr. supply at a production rate of 30 million tons per year. These large reserves dictate the development of an adequate technology for the use of anthracite by the metallurgical industry.

Jan 1, 1961

By G. B. Shea, R. A. Cattell

This resume of the work of the Petroleum and Natural - Gas Division of the Bureau of Mines for the fiscal years 1940 and 1941 is the second of a series. of progress reports . It brings forward from the 1939 annual report information on the course of activities of the division in carrying out its objectives of increased conservation and better utilization of petroleum, natural gas, and related resources through a coordinated program of research and fact - finding . It discusses, also, special assignments. executed for other Government agencies, which in recent years have constituted a considerable part of the division's work ." . In the present national emergency, in which petroleum is so essential , many of the Bureau's research activities bear directly on the availability, conservation, and use of petroleum for national defense . Accordingly, during the past year attention has been focused for the most part.on.problems associated with the needs of national defense . Several long-time researches , which in themselves are potential sources of desirable knowledge , were judged to be of secondary importance under present conditions and accordingly were suspended . Studies also were oriented in line with rapidly changing conditions to meet the demand for accurate findings on short notice . The Petroleum and Natural - Gas Division has experiment stations at Bartlesville , Okla . , and Laramie, Wyo . , a field office at Dallas , Tex . , and a field office and laboratory at San Francisco , Calif . It also operates the Government helium plant near Amarillo , Tex. In addition to the helium operations , some of the petroleum and natural - gas research activities are conducted at the Amarillo plant .

Feb 1, 1942

By G. L. Fitzpatrick

Preliminary results of an experiment in seismic holography indicate that the techniques of acoustical holography may be successfully used with seismic waves to determine the size and general shape of underground objects. This experiment was carried out under field conditions on a moderately large scale compared with the typical laboratory experiments in acoustical holography. The object to be mapped was a 100-foot-diameter, spherical, low-velocity zone of explosively fractured rock in oil shale at an average depth of 80 feet. The seismic wavelength of the Fourier component wave used in making the seismic holograms was 50 feet at a frequency of 140 cps. The hologram sampling aperture was 226 feet square and was sampled by 441 geophones in a 21 by 21 rectangular array. One novel aspect of the experiment was the use of a wide-band polychromatic explosive source of seismic waves rather than a narrow-band quasi-monochromatic vibrator source. A successful laser reconstruction of the object image from a lensless Fourier-transform hologram in the form of a 5/l6-inch-square photographic transparency is illustrated. The size of the underground object measured from the laser reconstruction of the object and the size inferred from a knowledge of the amount of explosives used to fracture the site and the tensile strength of the oil shale are found to agree.

Jan 1, 1972

By M. D. Heresy, H. F. Coward

"Whenever a manometer has been used for recording explosion pressures it has been calibrated under a series of static pressures. Whether the readings taken during the rapidly changing pressures of an explosion (dynamic pressures) truly represent the actual pressures therefore is an open question. The authors had hoped to solve this problem by conducting the calibration with the aid of known pressures, applied at about the ammo rate as in an explosion, for example, by means of a cylinder and piston, the piston being driven in by an eccentric cam at a rate which would be determined accurately by the shape and rate of revolution of the cam. If the rate of compression were great enough, then the pressure in the cylinder (to which the manometer is attached) could be calculated from the laws of adiabatic changes of pressure and volume. It seems highly probably, however, from H. T. Tizard's observations on pressure changes in a cylinder during rapid compression (55) 4/ that there is much heat loss, therefore pressure loss, in the very small interval of time during compression; although Tizard was able to estimate the amount thereof, he did so only by relying on his nanometer, which is exactly the procedure that the authors challenge on the grounds that the manometer was not standardized under the conditions of its use. Hence the authors were driven from this scheme of calibration to another, namely, comparing records of ono and the same explosion taken simultaneously on several instruments of as varied a type as possible. If 2 of a number of instruments agree, perhaps both are accurate; if 3 agree, probably each of the 3 is accurate; if 4 agree, it is almost certain each of the 4 is accurate.There was a second objective in the present work. If the Bureau of Mines and the B.C.D. (British Coal Dust) manometers differ in their records, then from a sufficiently comprehensive series of experiments it may be possible to coordinate the extensive results already obtained at the American and British stations.Thirdly, it was hoped to learn which is the best available instrument for observing the pressures of coal-dust and as explosions and, if possible, to indicate means for improvement in manometry."

May 1, 1935

[This Bureau of Mines report presents results of a survey of underground mining equipment and of two demonstration programs showing the feasibility If quieting; a load-haul-dump (LHD) machine and a personnel vehicle. Typical noise levels are presented for the major machine types used in underground mines, along with estimates of the noise overexposure of miners who operate or work near these machines. General principles of noise control are explained, and the application of these principles is illustrated in the description of modifications made to the LHD machine and the personnel vehicle. The noise control package installed On the persona of vehicle lowered its noise level by 14 dBA after 4 months of operation, and inspection of the LHD machine after 2 1/2 years of operation with the modifications showed its noise level 7 dBA lower than that of the unmodified machine. Noise dosimeter measurements indicated that both machines were in compliance with Federal noise regulations for a typical shift.]

Jan 1, 1980

By R. A. Welsh

The Bureau of Mines has developed a photoelectric concentrator apparatus which is capable of collecting incremental products from the discharge of wet concentrating tables. The instrument uses photoelectric cells as sensors to differentiate between two products which have differences in color or reflectivity. The photocells provide a signal that controls a mobile splitting device that separates the products. Tests conducted on a wet table demonstrated the ability of the apparatus to separate a product containing 81.5 percent pyrite from a lower-grade product containing only 68.8 percent pyrite. The photoelectric concentrator should have a broad application for collecting concentrates with visible color or reflectivity differences from wet concentrating tables.

Jan 1, 1972

By Pedro Lilienfeld

The objective of this program was the development, design, fabrication, and laboratory testing of a mine-worthy continuous respirable dust monitoring system (CRDMS). The operation of the sensor unit of this system is based on the light scattering intensity of the respirable fraction of airborne dust. The CRDMS is compatible with the typical environmental rigors that characterize coal mines and, in particular, the shock, vibration, impact, moisture and dust conditions prevailing at active training machines. The sampled area must be within the breathing zone of the mining machine's operator, whose dust exposure is to be monitored by the CRDMS sensor unit. Instantaneous, as well as shift-averaged dust concentrations, are displayed and recorded for later retrieval, Alarm indications and other diagnostic information are provided. The project was completed with the delivery of three sensor/display units (SDU), one data retrieval unit (DRU), two mining-machine-compatible power supplies, and two [auxilliary] battery packs.

Jan 1, 1983

Sixteen papers concerned with the technology and utilization of low-rank fossil fuels are presented as the proceedings of the 1973 lignite symposium. This symposium, the seventh in a series of biennial meetings, was cosponsored by the Bureau of Mines and the University of North Dakota.

Jan 1, 1974

By R. V. Higgins

The, large volumes of low A. P. I. gravity oil that will remain in many shallow fields of California when such oils no longer can be recovered profitably by pumping are important potential sources of oil when ways and means are found to remove them from the reservoir sands. Estimated ultimate oil recoveries in many of the "low-gravity fields" of the San Joaquin Valley in California indicate that less than 25 percent (on the average) of the original oil will be recovered. These oils have viscosities of 1,000 or more centipoises at reservoir temperatures and, because of their high viscosity and low intensity of the reservoir pressure, the quantities that will be retained in the sands ultimately are so large and their recovery is such a challenge to petroleum engineers that the Bureau of Mines has made the study of their possible recovery one of its major projects. The fact that a slight increase of temperature materially reduces the viscosity of low A. P. I. gravity oils has 'prompted the use of various means for increasing the temperature of the oil in the reservoir sands and hence the rate of flow and Completeness of recovery of the oil. Hot oil, hot water, heated air, and natural gas, steam, super-heated steam, and the products of combustion have been circulated in wells to raise the temperature of the oil it the sands; electric heaters have been installed in wells, and butane and air have been intermittently exploded and the flames propagated through the tubing to the "pay" zones. None of the methods, however, have been entirely satisfactory for the recovery of large quantities of oil.

Jan 1, 1949

By Wils L. Cooley

This report analyzes electrical accident data in the metal/non-metal mining industry. Accidents are categorized to determine their root causes. Special attention is given to accidents associated with inadequate or defective grounding of mine power systems. Recommendations are made concerning proper grounding practice, especially for dredges and for quarries in hard rock or sand. The costs of instituting the recommended practices are estimated for model mine power systems which are based on field data obtained from 37 mines and several electrical contractors. The expected benefits of various suggested safety practices are also estimated.

Jan 1, 1981

By H. P. Greenwald

[In many coal-mining countries, during he pest decade, there have seen made extended studies and accurate measurement of movement of roof strata, tests of the physical properties of specimens cut therefrom, and tests of the strength of end load on artificial supports. Naturally, such studies have been more extensive in European countries, where mining conditions are less favorable than in the United States. As a part of its work in the conservation of coal resource and prevention of accidants in mines, the Bureau of brines began systematic measurements of the movement of roof strata to in coal mines in the fall of 1935. It was decided- that, in the beginning, work on a rapidly retreating rib line in a mechanized mine would give the greatest amount of information in a reasonable time. To this end w cooperative tine agreement was made with the Pittsburgh Coal Co., through Dr. L. E. Young, vice: president in charge of operations, for conduct of work in that company's Montour 10 mine operating in the Pittsburgh coal bed. This paper gives an account of the methods used in the investigation, excerpts from the data obtained, and such generalizations as appear to be justified.]

Jan 1, 1937

By Gabriel S. Esterhuizen, Jarek Jakubec

In 2000, Laubscher’s Mining Rock Mass Rating (MRMR) classification system was updated and published. The new system brought a few fundamental changes that were in direct response to the challenges and problems encountered when applying the classification system in the mining environment, specifically caving operations. The fundamental changes introduced into the MRMR system in 2000 were the abandonment of the Rock Quality Designation (RQD) as an input parameter, accounting for healed and cemented joints, and the concept of rock block strength. The objective of this paper is not to discuss the role and usefulness of classification systems; the fact that classification systems are widely used in every stage of mining projects speaks for itself. This paper discusses some of the experiences gained with the MRMR 2000 system in various mining projects and shows how the changes to the system have resulted in improved assessment of rock mass conditions. Issues related to core logging for rock mass assessment are also presented.

Jan 5, 2007

By H. P. Greenwald

[In many coal-mining countries, during he pest decade, there have been made extended studies and accurate measurement of movement of roof strata, tests of the physical properties of specimens cut therefrom, and tests of the strength of end load on artificial supports. Naturally, such studies have been more extensive in European countries, where mining conditions are less favorable than in the United States. As a part of its work in the conservation of coal resource and prevention of accidents in mints, the Bureau of Mines began systematic measurement of the movement of roof strata to in coal mines in the fall of 1935. It was decided that, in the beginning, work on a rapidly retreating rib line in a mechanized mine would give the greatest amount of information in a reasonable time. To this end a cooperative agreement was made with the Pittsburgh Coal Co., Dr. L. E. Young, vice president in charge of operations, for conduct of work in that company's Montour 10 mine operating in the Pittsburgh coal bed, This paper gives an account of the methods used in the investigation, excerpts from the date obtained, and such generalizations as appear to be justified.]

Jan 1, 1937

By Robert L. Lappi

Volume I of this report described the demonstration of cross-ridge mountaintop coal mining. This document, Volume II, is intended for use as a supporting document to Volume I. This report describes the MATHMINE Mine Simulation System, a modularized software system used to support the demonstration of cross-ridge Mountaintop coal mining. The MATHMINE Mine Simulation System was used to generate mine plans for coal extraction at lowest cost. The functional details, data requirements and output of the software system are detailed here. The computer program was written in FORTRAN. One module which generates resource location data required the use of SAS?.

Jan 1, 1984

Reduce the number of accidents in which large mining trucks crush objects that were not visible to the driver. Approach Improved rear view mirrors, light-bending plastic lenses, and a closed circuit TV, are combined in a rugged system that allows the driver to see almost all areas around a large raining truck. How It Works Improved mirrors, used in place of ordinary left and right rear view mirrors, give wider angle viewing. Fresnel lenses, two mounted on the front edge of the hood and another one mounted above the right front fender, show objects close to the front and right side of the truck. A rugged closed circuit TV camera mounted above the rear axle reveals objects behind the truck. See diagrams showing reduction of blind area around a 150-ton mining truck. The improved mirrors for rear viewing are approximately rectangular. The left rear view mirror has a flat reflecting surface 10 inches wide by 20 inches high. The right rear view mirror is curved to give wider viewing angles, both from left to right and up and down. This mirror is 12 inches wide by 16 inches high. Its convex reflecting surface has the same curve as the surface

Jan 1, 1979

By Ralph D. Gift

This report describes a program of research to evaluate methanometry in coal mines. The program commenced by conducting an extensive state-of-the-art survey. Details of the survey are presented which includes a rating of various types of instruments that can be used to detect and record methane gas. Laboratory test data, on mine instruments tested are presented together with results from a computerized statistical analysts.

Jan 1, 1972

By R. S. Warfield

Several reconnaissance-type surface and drill core samples of Arctic Northwestern Alaska coals were taken during the summer field seasons of 1964 and 1966 for coking studies. Surface samples were taken from the Kokolik River and the Cape Beaufort areas; core samples were obtained from the Kukpowruk River and the Cape Beaufort areas. Only one Kokolik River surface sample possessed coking properties. This sample, representing an 11.6-ft coal seam, made coke approaching metallurgical quality when a 30-pct portion of selected blending coals was added. Four Kukpowruk River core samples, each representing the same 19-to 20-ft coal seam, were all of about the same coking quality. No differences of coke quality attributable to depth of permanently frozen overburden were found, but the data confirm previously reported information that the 19- to 20-ft coal bed is a potentially satisfactory base coking coal. In the Cape Beaufort area, a core sample with appreciable coking properties was taken at depth from a coalbed determined noncoking in a surface sample.

Jan 1, 1969

By Lisa A. McDonald

The environmental compliance process affects all aspects of hardrock-mining operations, from exploration through post-closure. The primary components of the environmental compliance process are requirements under the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the permitting requirements associated with various other federal, state and local laws. This study considers the Greens Creek Mine and the development of two other projects (Alaska-Juneau & Kensington). These mines were used as the foundation for a case study of the impacts of the environmental compliance process on hardrock-mining activity in Southeast Alaska. The case study presents the institutional and legal requirements, followed by a discussion of the impact of this process on the production and timing of the three mines. The results of this preliminary study reveal some interesting findings, some expected and others unexpected, regarding the impact of the permitting process on the exploration, development and (proposed) operation of the three mining projects in the Juneau area. Determining the cost of compliance with these requirements is an important step in evaluating the appropriate course of action to protecting the environment while providing the necessary raw materials needed for society. This preliminary study highlights the initial starting point for such an analysis.

Jan 1, 1992

By R. E. Zane

[The Northwest Experiment Station of the Bureau of lines, in cooperation with the College of Mines, University of Washington, has completed a detailed investigation of the physical and chemical properties of western cokes made or used in the Pacific Northwest, as evaluated by standard methods. 4/ One of the chemical properties determined, to which more or less importance has been attached, was reactivity or combustibility. As no standardized procedure is available, it was necessary to develop a workable method for evaluating this property. The combustibility of coke is usually measured by the formation of carbon dioxide with time at a particular temperature or by the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide. Analysis of the resulting gases commonly is required to evaluate the result. The method described in this paper is simple and direct in that the sample of coke or other carbonaceous material is weighed as it burns; the loss in weight and time is indicated by a balance and clock arrangement. Gas analyses are not rewired. Methods similar in principle have been used by Tu, Davis, and Hottel6/ and by Oshima and Fukuda7/ for determining the combustion rate of carbon and for studying the effect of ash on combustion characteristics. Both methods: are more elaborate in procedure and apparatus required than teat described here. Brief the method comprises burning a sample of coarsely grained. coke or]

Jan 1, 1940