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By NORA Mining Sector Council

The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) is a partnership program to stimulate innovative research and workplace interventions. In combination with other initiatives, the products of this program are expected to reduce the occurrence of injuries and illnesses at work. Unveiled in 1996, NORA has become a research framework for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the United States. Diverse parties collaborate to identify the most critical issues in workplace safety and health and develop research objectives for addressing those issues. NORA entered its third decade in 2016 with an enhanced structure. The 10 sectors formed for the second decade will continue to prioritize occupational safety and health research by major areas of the U.S. economy. In addition, NORA’s seven cross-sectors will continue to focus on the major health and safety issues affecting the U.S. working population. While NIOSH serves as the steward to move this effort forward, it is truly a national effort. NORA is carried out through councils comprised of members with many diverse interests that are developing and implementing research agendas for the occupational safety and health community over the third decade (2016-2026) of NORA. Councils address objectives through information exchange, partnership building, and enhanced dissemination and implementation of evidenced-based solutions. NORA groups industries into 10 sectors using North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. The Mining Sector encompasses NAICS code grouping 21xxxx where “xxxx” represents the different subcodes of the mining “21” classification. Mining encompasses the extraction of solid mineral and mineral-like substances from their place in the Earth’s crust and supplies them to processing industries that produce economically valuable materials. It does not include oil and gas extraction. The Mine Safety and Health Administration, MSHA separates mining into coal, underground and surface, and metal and nonmetal, underground and surface.

Feb 1, 2024

As mine haulage vehicles become larger, the danger to a driver during a fire emergency is increased by the greater height of the cab above ground. Also, property damage due to fires on bigger trucks can be substantial. To solve this problem, the Department of Interior's Bureau of Mines, through two research and development contracts with FMC Corporation, San Jose, California, has developed two reasonably priced, reliable automatic fire sensing and suppression prototype systems for large haulage vehicles. At the onset of the large mobile equipment fire protection contract effort, it was learned that fires were frequently experienced in open-pit mine haulage equipment, especially large trucks. As the size of equipment has grown, so has the hazard presented to an operator forced to leave his truck in a hurry when fire breaks out and his normal path to the ground is blocked by flames. His only recourse is to jump from the cab platform to the ground, and the one-story drop of 10 feet or more can severely injure him. It is with these factors in mind that a program was undertaken to provide a fire detection and extinguishing capability tor the large mobile equipment, especially trucks, used in open pit mines.

Jan 1, 2012

The accompanying supply/demand flow diagrams and 10-year tables for mineral and fuel commodities present essential data required by government, industry, and others to formulate policies and programs that can help assure an adequate and continuing supply of mineral raw materials. The 10-year data base terminates with 1975 figures because adequate world information was not available beyond that date. The selected mineral supply/demand tables and flow diagrams comprise but one "output" from the massive body of information and data collected and compiled by the Bureau of Mines on a continuing basis covering mineral production, consumption, prices, shipments, imports, exports, and stocks, as well as industry activities in all States and abroad.

Jan 1, 2012

By Russell R. McLellan

Under the Heavy Metals Program, investigations were conducted at the old Badger dill placer mini in Nevada County California to collect data and information regarding drilling and sampling methods and deposit characteristics. The studies contributed to a team effort by five Bureau of Mines research groups to develop new or improved placer mining technology in the Tertiary gold-bearing channel gravel of northern California. This report describes the techniques used and the results obtained in the sampling and drilling stage of deposit delineation studies that were conducted by the Denver Mine Systems Engineering Group. Sampling included the collection and processing of 400 tons of largo and small volume samples from drill holes, underground workings, surface pits, and blast hole rounds. A total of 355 samples averaging 2,296 pounds per sample provided reasonably accurate data for analysis of the gold distribution. These studies indicate that the bulk of the gold is within 40 foot of bedrock in stacked, lenticular zones of cemented gravel that are largely confined to the relatively narrow, meandering course of the deepest portion of the bedrock channel. Drilling studies involved the testing of three types of truck-mounted drills including rotary, bucket and vibratory, none of which proved to be a completely versatile tool for sampling quickly and reliably both consolidated and unconsolidated gravel.

Jan 1, 2012

Since its creation in 1910, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Mines has pioneered in the development of mineral technology, through research. From the very beginning, research on mine health and safety has been a dominating concern, and a responsibility that expanded markedly as a result of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. Until the mid-1970's research on fuel technology and coal production also was an important part of the Bureau's work. But in the four years following the 1973 oil crisis, Congress established a reorganized Federal energy research apparatus in which all fossil fuel research-encompassing extraction, use, and conservation-was centralized. Today, the Department of Energy houses Federal research on coal mine production technology, while research on coal and noncoal mine health and safety and environmental technology, and on noncoal mine production technology, remains in the Interior Department as a continuing responsibility of the Bureau of Mines. In carrying out its authorized research programs, the Bureau conducts both short- and long-term re-

Jan 1, 2012

By R. Farrar

Protective canopies for conventional electric face equipment, including shuttle cars, operating in low coal (less than 48 inches) were designed, fabricated, installed and evaluated on in-mine machines engaged in regular coal mining operations. This work was performed under contract to the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh Mining and Safety Research Center. The canopies will support a vertical load of 18,000 pounds and provide protection against both roof falls and contact with the mine rib. Canopy configurations were established based on human engineering studies, full scale canopy mockups, and in-mine observation and consultation with mine and equipment manufacturing personnel. Overall height of each canopy is hydraulically adjustable between a minimum of 32 inches and a maximum of 40 inches. Canopy tops are open framework, welded structures, covered with expanded metal mesh. Structural members are 1 3/4-inch or 2-inch square tubing of AISI 413ON and ASTM A500 material, respectively. The canopy tops are typically supported by an understructure and upright post arrangement that is either integrated into the current operator platform or attached to the machine frame. The four upright corner posts house the hydraulic actuators. Canopy tops are elevated horizontally. Canopies are welded or bolted to the existing machines. Installation is accomplished with a minimal amount of interface modifications. No major machine design changes are required. Canopies were trial installed and load tested at the manufacturer's facility prior to installation on the in-mine machines. Canopies were installed on a Joy 14BU10 Loader, 16RB-3AH Cutter, and two 21SC Shuttle Cars, and a Galis 300 Roof Drill and 460-S Face Drill. Canopy installations were evaluated in the Jewell Ridge Coal Company No. 12 and Big Creek Tiller Mines. Operational time accumulated on the installations during evaluation ranged from 1 week to 14 weeks of two-shift operation. All five canopy designs, manufacture, and test were successfully accomplished. The five canopies met all safety requirements. Three of the five canopies were deemed to be completely successful from an operator's point of view. That is, mine management as well as the machine operator found that the canopies did not impede the operation of the machines to function with the same efficiency as before the installation of the canopies. The loader canopy, in fact, appeared to have provided a mole efficient operation of the loader by providing added safety to the operator from rib contact thus allowing him to concentrate more fully on the loading function. Operational problems were encountered with the shuttle car and the roof drill. The shuttle car canopy obstructed visibility to an objectionable amount and the roof drill canopy impeded maneuverability of the machine, more than doubling the roof bolting time.

Jan 1, 2012

By David W. Tongue

This report describes the engineering work leading to the design of an underground coal mine piping system to transport approximately 2,000,000 cubic feet per day of methane gas to the surface from degasification holes drilled horizontally into the coalbed in existing coal mines. Safety instrumentation for detection of gas leaks and provisions for automatic emergency shutdown are included in the design. It also includes specifications for a safe system of handling gas, water, and drill cuttings during drilling of the horizontal holes and recommendations for compressor and metering facilities at the surface. The main pipeline is recommended to be constructed of polyethylene plastic pipe joined by a butt fusion method while lateral lines and separator and meter piping at the horizontal holes are recommended to be screwed steel piping. The materials used are to be resistant to the forces of impact exerted by falling rock. The pipelines are to be suspended from the ceiling with pipe hangers. All steel components are protected from chemical corrosion by applying protective coatings and the vertical casing to the surface is protected from electrolytic corrosion by a rectifier station. Methane gas detectors monitor the mine atmosphere to detect the presence of gas leaks and a pneumatic plastic tubing line provides for control of the safety shutdown system. Both the recommended design and the required construction procedures are in compliance with the applicable Federal codes for coal mine safety.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. A. Cooper

The objectives of this research were to define the chemical composition and physical characteristics of the aerosols associated with attached radon daughters in operating uranium mines, and to investigate the relationship between these aerosol parameters and operating conditions. Major Results and Conclusions The organic, inorganic and radiological characteristics of test chamber and active U-mine aerosols have been measured as a function of particle size. These measurements represent the first detailed analyses of the organic and inorganic components in U-mine aerosols and the first determinations of the details of the individual and total radon daughter distributions in operating U-mines. The following is a list of the major results and conclusions:

Jan 1, 2012

By D. Randolph Berry

Foster-Miller Associates has developed a set of guidelines to permit hoist manufacturers, mine owners, and MESA mine inspectors to design, purchase, install or inspect a safe and effective Emergency Escape Hoist, as required by the Coal Mine Health and Safety act of 1969. A series of surveys were carried out to determine: 1. The attitudes and local needs of the MESA District Managers. 2. Current escape hoist installations. 3. Equipment available for future designs. 4. Foreign methods and equipment for mine rescue. From these survey studies, preliminary guideline objectives were developed.

Jan 1, 2012

By D. A. Paice

Direct current electrical systems are used in most coal mines primarily to power the main haulage trains and secondarily to feed other equipment and passageway lighting. Electrical power is supplied from rotary machines or static rectifier equipment and is distributed through the mine by open trolley wires and feeder cables. The rails of the haulageway are used as a current return path. This exposed power distribution system is very vulnerable to conditions which lead to undesired leakage currents and short circuits and, consequently, the possibility of fires or other hazards to personnel. Present techniques and equipment have been utilized in so far as practical to improve the safety of the dc electrical system; however, there still appears a need for further improvement. Because of this need, this program was sponsored by the Bureau of Mines to investigate two specific technical areas related to improvement of dc electrical system safety. One area included the determination of the characteristics of mine electrical systems and their protection requirements and the verification of the adequacy of available protective devices for mine service. Despite the widespread application of industrial protective equipment in mines, there was little detailed technical information available related specifically to the performance of this equipment in service. Our task was not only to develop useful information regarding mine system protection, but also to define and verify the adequacy of the protective devices available. The second area of investigation called for development of a practical technique for detecting low level electrical fault or leakage currents. Conventional protective devices

Jan 1, 2012

By Rudolf E. Greuer

This report contains a theoretical study on the usefulness of fighting mine fires with inert gases. Four introductory chapters review the role of fires in the mining industry; the conventional fire fighting techniques, the influence of inert gases on the burning of gases and solids, and the well established inert gas fire extinguishing systems for buildings and machinery. A large chapter describes the use which inert gas has found so far for fighting mine fires in major mining countries. More applications have occurred than generally expected and the inert gas method has in the last years become routine in Czechoslovakia and the USSR. This chapter is based on an evaluation of the extensive literature as well as on personal information obtained from leading experts.

Jan 1, 2012

By Paul C. Hyndman

The U.S. Bureau of Mines inventoried Federal mineral lands in Idaho and classified them in detail, section by section, according to their availability for mineral exploration and development as affected by legal restrictions and agencies' management practices. The Bureau also identified known mineral deposit areas (KMDAs) and areas conducive to oil, gas, and geothermal resources. This information is shown on maps (developed in part by geographic information system technology) that spatially compare the availability for mineral entry of Federal land with these KMDAs to demonstrate the extent and severity of restrictions on mineral entry. Idaho contains 53.1 million acres, 35.7 million (67%) of which is Federal mineral land. About 7 million acres of this land is within KMDAs that host medium-to high-value locatable mineral deposits; 36% of this land is available, 27% is slightly to moderately restricted, and 37% is severely restricted or unavailable. For the leasable minerals, about 1.8 million acres are within KMDAs that host medium-to high-value phosphate deposits, about 5.4 million acres are favorable for oil and gas resources, and 3.9 million acres for geothermal resources. The percentages of land availability are 30%, 45%, and 25% for the phosphate acreage, 38%, 34%, and 28% for the oil and gas acreage, and 43%, 30%, and 27% for the geothermal acreage.

Jan 1, 2012

The contractor examined L.T. White's Patent No. 3524680 and, finding it in need of engineering refinements, proceeded with a conceptual design of a variable wall mining machine. The contractor then proceeded to assess the feasibility of the variable wall mining machine measured against the criteria specified by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The feasibility was judged from a physical aspect, a health and safety aspect, and an economic aspect. The Variable Wall Mining Machine was judged to be feasible on all three aspects provided that certain specified practices were adopted. Description The specifications and design and performance parameters of the Variable Wall Mining System as conceptualized are summarized in Tables I and II. The system consists of a side-cutting auger operating in a string of identical 12 ft. sections, along a 500 ft. retreating longwall face. In addition to the 41 identical sections, there is a special drive and discharge section at the head gate.

Jan 1, 2012

The inherently explosion-proof mine (EPM) concept is based upon the non-flammability of certain combustible-oxidant-inert gas mixtures, and the effect of partial pressure of gases on physiological reactions. In a properly controlled underground environment, gas explosions are impossible, men can do work, and relatively high concentrations of methane would be permitted. A systems analysis has been performed to examine the physiological, engineering, and economic feasibility of such a concept, and methods and equipment are recommended for maintaining an EPM atmosphere in a bituminous coal mine producing a nominal two million tons of clean coal per year. It is concluded that: engineering feasibility can be demonstrated using subsystems and components that can be designed and built within the present state-of-the-art, that economic feasibility is possible within approximately five years, and that physiological feasibility is sufficiently promising to warrant continued investigation.

Jan 1, 2012

Large quantities of combustible materials are often found in underground metal and nonmetal mines, with support timber most often the predominant combustible material. Oils, lubricants, paper, cartons, and rags are additional combustible materials and are commonly found in maintenance shop areas. Welding and cuting, shorted or overloaded electrical cables, spontaneous combustion, and careless smoking are some of the common fire ignition sources. Inexpensive, reliable fire detection and suppression systems are available to provide early warning of such fires and to isolate and extinguish fires that originate in underground maintenance shop areas. Technology developed and demonstrated under Bureau of Mines Contract H024216, Mine Shaft Fire and Smoke Protection System, may be applied to protect underground maintenance shop areas. The mine area described in this report is a representative ex-ample only; the fire protection system described considers costs, benefits, equipment performance and includes the concepts of: ? Early warning and alarm ? Isolation ? Extinguishment ? Control. Each fire protection system application requires analysis of numerous variables including total mine profile (depth, personnel, escape routes, hazards, etc.).

Jan 1, 2011

This manual is for use by mine operating personnel and vehicle manufacturers in the selection and proper use of automatic fire protection systems for underground metal and non-metal mining vehicles. Most of the currently available systems are manually operated, dry chemical fire suppression systems. When properly designed, installed, and maintained these systems have proven to be effective both in fire suppression and in withstanding the rugged mine environment. Portable fire extinguishers and manually actuated systems have provided adequate protection for most of the reported fire incidents. However, there have also been incidents where injuries and property losses would not have occurred if the vehicle had been protected with an automatic fire protection system. The need for reliable automatic systems exists when the operator is not present, especially when the vehicle engine is running without the operator in the cab; and also in cases where the operator leaves the vehicle to fight a small fire with a portable and is then forced to abandon the vehicle because the small fire becomes uncontrollable. In the later cases manual systems on the vehicle are never actuated. Although these incidents have been relatively few in number in the past, the increasing use of mobile diesel powered equipment and the related importance of personnel safety, high costs of the mining vehicles, and high cost of down time warrant consideration of automatic fire protection systems. The fire history data and the design concept discussed in this manual were developed under the Bureau of Mines Contract H0252038 which is part of the government's mining research safety program. The purpose of the contract was to develop a low cost, reliable, prototype automatic fire control system for underground vehicles. The industry needs were determined through an extensive mine visitation program, and the prototype system was demonstrated on a vehicle in an underground mine fire test. The system developed under this contract was specifically designed for a load-haul-dump. However, the design concept is applicable to the full general class of mobile underground mining equipment.

Jan 1, 2011

By Brian R. Zelenka

The Bureau of Mines (Bureau) reviewed all available information regarding geologic and depositional processes contributing to potential coastal and offshore platinum group metal (PGM) placer deposits around the Goodnews Bay Mining District. The Bureau found that favorable environments for PGM along with gold and chromite enrichment include: (1) buried paleofluvial channels; (2) recent paleofluvial channels with little marine sediment overburden, (3) beach deposits, particularly in the upper swash zone and near back beach environments; (4) paleostrand lines; (5) shoal lag deposits inside the mouths of Goodnews and Chagvan bays; and (6) bases of far offshore tidal ridges which may represent reworked glacial deposits. Limited geologic and compositional (assay) data prevent determination of deposit size and grade of PGM mineralization for each deposit class. Future geologic sampling requirements for demonstration of identifiable offshore and beach PGM-bearing placers are discussed. Beach and offshore sampling programs conducted by the Bureau in 1986 will contribute additional information providing verification of specific deposit classes.

Jan 1, 2011

By Elizabeth A. Johnson

The vaporization thermodynamics of the aluminum-silicon carbides Al4SiC4 and Al8SiC7 were studied by the Bureau of Mines over the temperature range of approximately 1,500 to 1,700 K. Vapor pressures were measured by a Knudsen effusion-mass spectrometry technique in which powdered samples were effused from graphite crucibles through small orifices. For each compound, a total of six orifice diameters was tested to verify equilibrium within the cell. Aluminum, mass number 27, was the only vapor species detected over the range 4 to 200 amu. Experimental results are based on the following equations for incongruent decomposition: A14SiC4(cr) - 4A1(g) + SiC(a,hex) + 3C(gr); Al8SiC7(cr) - 8A1(g) + SiC(a,hex) + 6C(gr). The observed vapor pressure-temperature relationships determined with a cell orifice area of 2.0 x 10-3 cm2 for Al4SiC4 and 1.81 x 10-3 cm2 for A18SiC7 are the following: Log P - (-18,682/T) + 12.476, for Al4SiC4 (1,550 to 1,643 K) and Log P = (-19,308/T) + 12.421, for Al8SiC7 (1,526 to 1,784 K), with P in pascals and T in kelvins. Third-law analysis of the data provided the following heats of formation: A14SiC4 ?H at 298.15 K - -50.0 kcal/mol and A18SiC7 ?H at 298.15 K - -92.1 kcal/mol.

Jan 1, 2011

It is not uncommon to find large quantities of combustible materials in underground metal and non-metal mines. Support timber is the predominant combustible material. Spontaneous combustion, welding and cutting, shorted or overloaded electrical cables and careless smoking are common ignition sources. More recently, there is increased use of diesel mobile equipment that requires fuel storage and transfer areas. Diesel fuel spillage on hot engine manifolds and motors can result in rapid flame growth and heavy smoke accumulation in a matter of seconds. In-expensive, reliable fire detection and suppression systems are available to provide early warning of fire conditions and to isolate and extinguish fires that originate in fuel storage and transfer areas. This report presents an example of how technology developed and demonstrated under Bureau of Mines Contract H0242016, Mine Shaft Fire and Smoke Protection System, may be applied to protect underground diesel fuel storage and transfer areas. The area application described in this report is a representative example only; the fire protection described includes the concepts of ? Early warning and alarm ? Isolation ? Extinguishment ? Control

Jan 1, 2011

Large quantities of combustible materials are often found in underground metal and nonmetal mines, with support timber predominating. Wood lagging and timber, wires and cables, brattice cloth, hose, paper products, cardboard cartons, and wooden containers are additional combustible materials commonly found in underground storage areas. Shorted or overloaded electrical cables, worn sockets and plugs, spontaneous combustion, careless smoking, and welding and cutting are common fire ignition sources. Inexpensive, reliable fire detection and suppression systems are available to provide early warning and to extinguish fires that originate in underground storage areas.

Jan 1, 2011