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By R. Burrell, N .. L. Lapp

"Except for asthma and pulmonary infections, the types of lung disease that have been of immunologic interest the longest are the various mineral pneumoconioses. Because of their chronicity, type of pathology produced, and well-known immunotoxic properties associated with the dusts inciting them, the pneumoconioses have long drawn attention to the possibility that the immune system has not only been modulated but that its effectors have possibly contributed to their pathogenesis. All of the mineral dusts reviewed here have definite immunomodulating properties and act on various cellular and molecular components of the immune system. Further, each has an immunotoxic potential to induce either hypersensitivity (as in the case of beryllium) or other types of immune injury. This article reviews the immunologic aspects of the four major occupational minerals that have an immunologic impact on the lung: asbestos (particularly chrysotile), silica or quartz, beryllium, and coal mine dust.These agents have many things in common, yet each is distinctive. Although the possibility still exists that these mineral particles can adsorb intrinsic tissue antigens or extrinsic organic antigens to their surfaces and initiate immune responses to the adsorbed antigens, only one, beryllium, can act as an antigen itself. Silica is a profound macrophage toxin and thereby exerts many effects on those factors controlled by macrophages. Asbestos has undergone the most immunologic studies resulting in a much dearer picture of how it may contribute to immunopathology. Coal mine dust is the agent about which least is known immunologically, partly because there is no such thing as purified coal mine dust or a standard by which coal mine dust can be defined. Indeed, there are studies that use only the dust from the ground coal itself, whereas other studies use the total dust collected from air samples of a working mine in the belief that other types of dusts (e.g., silica from roof bolt drilling, from sand ground on the rails by cars, and from surface drilling) contribute to the disease (Figs. 1 to 5). This properly is coal mine dust and is poorly characterized. Yet, workers exposed to these dusts share similar reactive characteristics and they may be considered collectively as well as individually."

Mar 1, 1992

By Richard A. Rivell

This document is a users manual intended as a reference for personnel interested in the analysis of coal-mine-electrical-power systems under either normal operating conditions or fault situations. The interactive procedures developed for this purpose are described and implementation considerations are discussed with respect to the mine-power system. Considerations for choosing a solution technique and a number of examples are included. Procedures available include Gauss-Seidel and Newton-Raphson iterative techniques for the analysis of normal operation or balanced faults as well as a non-iterative Z-bus technique for analysis of unbalanced or balanced faults.

Jan 1, 1980

By John C. Gagliardi

The U.S. Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with Carter Mining Co., conducted vibration tests of four off-road vehicle seats. The purpose of the tests was to determine which seat provided the best vibration attenuation under laboratory conditions. Laboratory tests were constructed to simulate the mining vibration environment within the limitations of the test equipment. The acceleration test levels and corresponding response of the seats were low compared to ISO 2631's fatigue-decreased-proficiency time limits. Two of the seats employed mechanical suspensions and two seats employed air suspensions. The seats were tested using a 22,241-N (5,000-lbf) electrodynamic shaker. Mechanical suspension seats were tested with various preload-to-mass ratios (PMR's) and cushion densities. Air suspension seats were tested with various air pressure levels and seat cushion densities. Air suspension seats provided good vibration attenuation if pressurized greater than 552 kPa (80 psi). Mechanical suspension seats' attenuation performance decreased if the PMR exceeded 9.8. Seat cushions of lower density provided less vibration damping.

Jan 1, 2010

By R. A. Beall

As part of an ongoing program to develop high-quality materials with improved performance and service lives, and to conserve critical minerals, Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, researchers studied the process of hot-rolling metals, alloys, and composites in vacuum. First, a comprehensive review of the literature is presented, including the advantages and disadvantages of using vacuum. Next, details of hot-rolling titanium, chromium, and molybdenum-iron bimetal are given. Finally, the design of new equipment is described. At this time, it is uncertain whether hot-rolling metals in vacuum will gain commercial acceptance in the future.

Jan 1, 1979

[In presenting this list of permissible explosives and blasting devices, the Bureau of Mines desires to call attention to pages 17 and 23, outlining the conditions in use under which, and only under which, the explosive or blasting device is permissible. In view of publications recounting trade practice favoring the use of a blasting device without stemming, particular emphasis is placed upon condition 4 on page 17 and condition 2 on page 23. An explosive or a blasting device enumerated in the permissible lists of thin Bureau is not permissible in use unless it is properly confined with clay or other incombustible stemming.]

Jan 1, 1941

In presenting this list of permissible explosives and blasting devices, the Bureau of Mines desires to call attention to pages 17 and 23, outlining the conditions in use under which, and only under which, the explosive or blasting device is permissible. In view of publications recounting trade practice favoring the use of a blasting device without stemming, particular emphasis is placed upon condition 4 on page 17 and condition 2 on page 23. An explosive or y blasting device enumerated in the permissible Lists of thin Bureau is not permissible in use unless it is properly confined with clay or other incombustible stemming.

Jan 1, 1941

By E. J. Lintner

This paper is one of a series being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines describing gypsum mining and crushing methods and costs at various operations throughout the United States. These papers are designed to disseminate technical information regarding methods used. The cost tabulations represent local operating expenditures only and not total production costs. It is recognized that publication of total production costs may in many instances cause embarrassment to individual operators as well as to the industry as a whole. On the other hand, operating costs are essential to a technical discussion and study of the methods employed. The attention of the reader is called specifically to this differentiation so that there may be no misunderstanding of the scope of the cost tabulation. This paper deals specifically with the mining and crushing methods employed by Victor Plaster, Inc., Victor, Ontario County, N. Y. The maximum annual production capacity of this company is 150,000 tons of crushed gypsum. The methods and practices employed arc typical of those followed in the gypsum mines in western New York State. The shaft is, perhaps, the deepest and the thickness of the gypsum mined is above the average for the section.

Jan 1, 1937

By Edward B. Kendall

[This paper is one of a series being prepared far and published by the United States Bureau of Minus describing the methods of mining used and operating costs obtained in producing land and gravel from deposits throughout the United States. This circular describes operations at the Eliot plant of the Pacific Coast Aggregates (Inc.). in Livermore Valley near San Francisco, Calif. These papers are designed to disseminate technical information regarding the methods used. The cost tabulations represent local expenditures only and not total production posts. It is recognized that publication of total costs might in some instances cause embarrassment to individual producers as well as to the industry as a whole. On the other hand, operating costs are essential to the technical discussion and study of methods employed. The attention of the reader is specifically called to this differentiation in order that no misunderstanding of the scope of the cost tabulations shall ensue.]

Jan 1, 1933

By R. J. Hundhausen

"INTRODUCTION Preliminary examination of the Blue Ledge mine was made by O. H. Metzger, a Bureau of Mines engineer, in May 1943. A result of his recommendations; a Bureau of Mines sampling and exploration project was begun by J. R. Reynolds in October 1943 and continued to December when it was recessed for the winter. The project was resumed by the auther in May 1944 and was completed in November 1944. The Federal Geological Survey 3/ assisted by mapping the geology of the mine and logging the diamond-drill cores obtained from the Bureau's exploration Company maps, diamond-drill-hole records, several reports, and other data on the property were made available to the Bureau by D. C. Brown, of Towne Securities Corporation, owner of the Blue Ledge group of claims. E. A. White, general manager of the Tacoma Smelter of the American Smelting & Refining Co., supplied statistics for all ore that has been purchased from the Blue Ledge mine by his company."

Oct 1, 1947

By Francis C. Lincoln

"INTRODUCTION In the course of a general investigation of mines and mineral deposits in the Upper Mississippi lead and zinc field, attention of the Bureau of Mines was first directed to the Coker mines area by the presence of large tonnages of old mill tailings containing economically recoverable percentages of lead and zinc. Later, the results of extensive geologic studies of the area were presented to the Bureau of Mines by the Federal Geological Survey, directing attention to the possibility of extending the known ore limits of the area to the north and northeast of the old Coker No. 1 mine workings.With this end in view, the Bureau of Mines undertook a program of churn drilling and sampling. This report describes the work done and presents the data obtained during the period of the Bureau of Mines investigation.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of investigation of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. The Mining. Division, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, does the actual investigative work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Division, O. C. Ralston, chief, analyzes the samples and makes beneficiation tests."

Apr 1, 1948

By V. J. Lynch, A. L. Peyton

"INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARYThe Brewer mine, near Jefferson, Chesterfield County, S.C., was originally operated as a gold mines as late as 1890 this mine was reported to have been one of the large gold producers in the southeast,Occurrence of topaz on the Brewer property was not reported until 1935, when it was discovered by Pardee and Parks. 3/ of the Federal Geological Survey while they were investigating gold deposits in the Piedmont province.During the 1940's the Chemical Engineering Branch of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Electrotecbnical Laboratory of the Bureau of Mines at Norris, Tenn., investigated topaz from the Brewer mine to determine the possibilities of its use as mullite and for the production of calcium fluoride.From July 1950 through. April 1951 the Bureau of Mines conducted a diamond-drilling project at the Brewer mine to determine the grade and extent of the topaz deposits. Ten diamond-drill holes, totaling 2,344 feet, were completed, and 231 analyses of core samples were made during the course of the project.This report presents factual data relating only to the diamond-drilling project, The placer deposits on the Brewer property were previously investigated by the Federal Geological Survey 4/."

Aug 1, 1953

By F. L. Wideman

This paper lists resources of sulfur in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizons, an area comprising approximately 522,600 square miles, Sources of sulfur occuring within the region are sulfur are, pyrite and pyritic ores, and natural gases and petroleum. Data concerning these sources are presented on a statewide basis. Some of the known deposits of sulfur ore are surficial and of fumerole origin; other deposits have resulted from oxidation of pyrite or sulfide ores of copper, lead, and zinc. The deposits are small and the sulfur is distributed erratically in them. There is a small production from some of the deposits, and the material produced is used as soil conditioner.

Jan 1, 1957

By G. A. Smyres

The Bureau of Mines investigated a HCI-02 leaching procedure to recover Cu, Ni, and Co from a low-grade bulk sulfide flotation concentrate prepared from the Duluth gabbro complex. Since the Duluth gabbro complex is the largest known and unexploited Ni resource in the United States, the development of options for extracting the metal values from the flotation concentrate of this domestic resource is necessary. Conditions were determined for producing a pregnant solution low in Fe to facilitate recovery of the metal values. Leaching experiments were conducted at 15 pct solids, 1000 to 1200 C, 0.2 to 0.3 g HCI per gram concentrate in a 50-gal reactor pressurized to 50 pSig with 02. Base metal extractions from the concentrate were, in percent, 90 to 92 Cu, 99 Ni, 97 to 99 Co, and 0.1 .Fe. Precious metals extractions were erratic and unpredictable; at best their extractions were, in percent, 55 Au, 90 Ag, 40 Pt, and 45 Pd. The reaction time at 1200 C was 0.5 h. The use of compressed air instead of 02 as the oxidant was also investigated. Solvent extraction using LIX 622 was used to remove Cu from the pregnant solution. Cementation on Cu was tested for precious metals recovery, while sulfide precipitation was used to produce a Ni-Co product. A conceptual flowsheet for treating the Duluth gabbro concentrate is proposed.

Jan 1, 1985

By J. J. Forbes

"The central rescue station maintained jointly by several mining com¬panies in a district, is gaining in popularity in a large number of mining districts throughout the country. A very efficient first-aid and mine rescue association, with rescue station, is in operation in 'the Globe-Miami, Arizona, district. This association, known as the ""Globe-Miami District Mine Rescue and First-Aid Association""; was organized on January 1, 1918. Due to the effective work of this organization, several incipient mine fires have been extinguished before the fire got under headway and before any severe damage was done.The mine rescue station, which is situated on the highway between the towns of Globe and Miami, Arizona, is centrally located with respect to the various mines in the district. The station was completed, and a full craw em-ployed for conducting it work on January 1, 1920.The directors and other officers of the association are selected from the mine officials whose properties are served by it. It includes seven large metal mining and metallurgical companies in the Globe-Miami district. The names of the companies, together with the number of men employed by each follows.A director is in charge of the station; he performs the executive work, and, is the managing head of all training in first aid and mine rescue. The director is assisted by three station attendants, one of whom takes the morning shift, another, the evening shift, and the third, the night shift. They exchange shifts every two weeks. As three shifts are maintained, an attendant is on duty at all times. He answers emergency calls in case of fires or accidents, assists with the first-aid and mine rescue training, the inspection of the first-aid boxes and supply bases that are located at the various mines, and attends to miscellaneous duties in connection with the operation and maintenance of the station."

Dec 1, 1920

By Oliver Bowles

Granites are classed as igneous rocks ; they have been formed by the solidification of rock magmas or solutions from deep within the earth . It is an almost invariable law of nature that magmas which cool quickly form fine- grained or glassy rocks , while those that cool slowly are completely crystallized and are coarser- grained . Granites , being of the latter class , are regarded as having attained their solid form at considerable depth below the surface under conditions of high temperature and pressure . The constituent minerals crystallized out slowly , the crystals interlocking with one another . The great depth of overlying rocks that must have been present when crystallization took place has been removed by erosion over large areas on the surface of the earth , in consequence of which granites appear at or near the surface in many localities . The chief minerals of which granites are formed are feldspars , quartz , and either mica or hornblende . All the essential constituents except mica are as hard as , or harder than steel , therefore granites are difficult rocks to cut and dress . Granites are usually red , pink , or gray , depending on the color of the feldspars . If hornblende or black mica is abundant the rock may be dark green or almost black . Granites are characterized by massive homogeneous texture . They are classified as fine- grained , medium- grained , or coarse - grained . Medium- grained granites are those in which the feldspar crystals average about one- fourth inch in diameter . If relatively coarsegrained crystals appear in a fine -grained ground mass the rock is designated a porphyritic granite . Uniformity in texture and grain size are desirable in building and ornamental stone , although occasionally rocks of variable texture , such as the porphyritic granites , are used . A rock may have the mineral constituents of a granite but show a banded or platy structure due to recrystallization , folding , or other changes while the rock was in a plastic or semimolten condition . Such metamorphic rocks are called granite gneisses . They are used occasionally for building purposes but not as commonly as the uniformly textured granites . - Granites are named from the most abundant mineral other than quartz and feldspar that they contain , being called , for example , biotite granite or hornblende granite . - Commercially other igneous rocks granitoid in texture but more properly classified as syenites , diorites , or gabbros may be classed as granites . Thus the " black granite " of Little Falls , Minn . , is a diorite , and the " black granite " of Eastern Pennsylvania consists of diabase or gabbro . The question is sometimes raised as to the depth to which a granite occurrence may extend . In this respect granites differ notably from limestones , sandstones , or other sedimentary rocks . The sediments were originally laid down in relatively thin beds , and individual formations providing rock of economic value may be quite limited in thickness . Usually the usable beds range between 40 and 200 feet in thickness . On the other hand , granite comes up from below . Its depth is unknown , but in general is very great . It may even be measurable in miles . The reserves of material at depth are to be measured , therefore , by the economic depth of working rather than by the vertical extent of the rock mass . Exceptionally , granites of commercial quality may occur in sills or sheets of limited thickness flanked on either side by rocks of different character , as , for example , at Westerly , R. I.

May 1, 1930

By Oliver Bowles

The manufacture of lime is one of the oldest industries. Plants are distributed widely and furnish an essential raw material for numerous industries. The use of lime by the building trades, in agriculture, and in hundreds of manufacturing and chemical processes has created demands for a large production and has necessitated exhaustive research on methods of manufacture and uses. The bibliography of lime is an extensive one, but for the most part each publication has dealt with only certain operations. The purpose of this paper is to present a general picture of the industry as a whole. The abundant literature has been abstracted and quoted freely, and the National Lime Association has rendered valuable assistance in furnishing data for certain sections. Publications containing more detailed information on the various branches of the industry are referred to in the footnotes and in the bibliography.

Jan 1, 1936

By Raja V. Ramani, Robert L. Frantz

"In response to the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) Request for Proposal (RFP) for "" the establishment of a Generic Mineral Technology Center (GTC) in Respirable Dust,"" the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institutes (MRIs) at The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and West Virginia University (WVU) in association with participating MRIs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of Minnesota (UMN) have prepared the comprehensive research program described herein. Michigan Technological University (MTU) joined the Center as an affiliate after its inception. This program was developed with recognition of the stated objective of the Federal Mine Safety and Health laws which is to "". . . permit each miner the opportunity to work underground during the period of his entire adult working life without incurring any disability from pneumoconiosis or any other occupation-related disease . . . .""Exposure to respirable contaminants in mine atmospheres has long posed a serious hazard to miners. The control of these hazards, some of which can have sudden and catastrophic consequences and some others, slow and long enduring, has been a major concern for labor, management and the government. This concern has manifested itself in four mechanisms of control -- (1) regulatory control through minimum standard setting by the passage of mine health and safety laws, (2) engineering control through design and operation of mines according to the best recommended practices, (3) interaction of dust and lung control through periodic physical examinations, wearing personal protection devices, etc., and (4) legal and social control through workman's compensation laws for occupation related health deterioration."

Aug 31, 1989

By Ronald Althouse

During the past five years under contract with the U. S. Bureau of Mines (BOM Contract J0308002). West Virginia University's Mining Extension Service (WVU-MES) has designed, developed) and delivered to the mining industry a comprehensive training program for Mine Rescue (MR) teams and a management planning tool for Mine Emergency Preparedness. The Mine Rescue team program is systematically built on a set of training objectives, backed up by content, allowing mine operators to conduct team training activities. These materials are user-ready, provide the MR principles and practices for both initial and advanced training, and supply teams with exercises geared to problem-solving activities. In addition to an instructor's program guide, the eight (8) modules that comprise the initial (20 hour) MR training are: an Introduction to Mine Rescue, an Introduction to Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), a set of modules covering each approved minimum 2-hour SCBA (i.e.) the Draeger BO 174-A. the McCaa) the Aerolox. & the Scott Rescue-Pak), and a manual on Auxiliary Apparatus as well as the Chemox Auxiliary SCBA. Advanced, annual refresher training (40 hour) is covered by seven (7) modules that spell-out the principles and practices needed to establish surface organization, to handle mine gases as well as mine ventilation, to conduct exploration, for fires, firefighting, and explosions, to rescue survivors and recover bodies, and to accomplish a mine recovery. Approved by MSHA in 1984 to meet requirements for 30 CFO. Part 49, these materials provide a basis for trainers' instruction, for comparison of team capabilities, for modifying programs resources, and services, and for program planning. The Mine Emergency Preparedness Program (MEPP) is used by management as a tool in the preparation of company personnel for handling a mine emergency operation. As a wholly new program. MEPP depends upon development of a Mine Emergency Organization and Emergency Operations Procedures. It also requires regular scheduling of drills) periodic mock emergencies, and evaluation of organizational responses and program performance beyond required training of mine rescue teams. MEPP materials are arranged into three sets of guides: 1) the Preparedness Program System Guides include an Executive Summary, a Program Director's Guide Mine Emergency Organization, and Emergency Operations Procedures; 2) the Emergency Organization (MEO) User's Guides cover the Rescue and Advisory Division, the Technical/Safeguarding Division, and the Surface Support Division; and 3) the Emergency Procedures (EOPS) User's Guides detail Containment Level Procedures, Notification Level Procedures. Mobilization Level Procedures, and Deployment Level Procedures.

Jan 1, 1986

By N. B. Greninger

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted explosion tests on various full-scale cementitious bulkheads used in abandoned mine areas to evaluate the ability of the bulkheads to withstand gas explosion over-pressures of 20 psig. Tests were performed on 120-ft2 solid-concrete-block seals of varying thicknesses and designs. Of the seven solid-concrete-block seals tested, only the standard-type seal, having a 16-in thickness, keyed at the floor and ribs, all joints mortared, wedged at the roof, and a center pilaster, maintained its integrity when subjected to a 20-psig pressure wave. After being subjected to repeated explosions, the standard seal only showed a small hairline crack and had an air leakage of 87 ft3/min at a pressure differential of 1 in H2O. Tests were performed on cementitious foam seals of varying thicknesses and compressive strengths. Explosion tests have shown that 200-psi strength, 4-and 8-ft-thick seals can withstand a 20-psig pressure wave. At a pressure differential of 1 in H20, no air leakage was detected through the 200-psi, 8-ft-thick foam seal.

Jan 1, 2010

A revolutionary development in blasting materials has occurred in recent years. Ammonium nitrate, sensitized by the addition of a small percentage of No. (class) 2 diesel fuel or other suitable petroleum product, has been adopted as a low-cost, efficient blasting agent2 in a wide variety of mining, quarrying, and heavy construction operations. Moreover, the ready availability of the component supplies throughout the Nation, together with the ease of formulating them into effective blasting agents, has made it possible for the blaster himself to prepare the mixes at the site of use. Recently, most established explosives manufacturers have begun supplying premixed AN-FO (ammonium nitrate-fuel oil) or a comparable product to various mining operations. However, many individuals and small business establishments are marketing premixed products prepared in facilities that are often poorly constructed and poorly located. Although these blasting agents have partly or wholly displaced explosives such as dynamites in many applications, there are some blasting operations in which the fuel-sensitized ammonium nitrate agents do not appear to be well adapted. As long as the hazards they present are clearly understood and respected, ammonium nitrate-based blasting agents have important safety characteristics when prepared under competent factory control or field-mixed under equivalent close control. This publication attempts to summarize the knowledge of those hazards and to incorporate practical ways to cope with them.

Jan 1, 1963