Search Documents

By C. F. Wingquist

As part of an ongoing study to determine how the wear of mining tools affects dust generation, the Bureau of Mines has measured bit tempera-ture rise during cutting of abrasive rock. Radial bit wear-flat tem-peratures generated by linear cutting in Berea Sandstone were measured as a function of cutting depth and speed. Depths of cut (DOC) were 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 in, and cutting speeds were 10, 40, and 80 in/s, respectively. Temperature sensing was accomplished by emplacement of a miniature thermocouple into the center of the wear flat. Temperatures observed ranged from 2000 to 5000 C. Correlation between depth and temperature was weak. Temperature increased linearly with speed at 1/2-in DOC, but data taken at 1/8-and 1/4-in DOC produced inconclusive results. The results indicated that at least for deeper cuts (1/2 in), bit temperature, and therefore wear, can be reduced by lowering the cutting speed.

Jan 1, 1987

By S. B. Levin

The Bureau of Mines has been investigating deposits of critical and essential minerals in the United States and Alaska since 1939. During the fall of 1942, the Bureau of Mines put down nine diamond-drill holes at the Cape Rosier zinc-copper-lead mine in Hancock County, Maine, that aggregated 2,883 feet of bore. These holes supplemented 13 holes, aggregating. 5,501 feet, put down on the property about 2 years earlier by the St. Joseph Lead Co. Veins of mixed sulfides were intersected in 15 of the holes drilled. Beneficiation tests were made on samples of ore obtained from old dumps. Zinc-copper-lead sulfides occur at the Cape Rosier mine as lenses in a zone of altered agglomerate beneath and between a series of diorite sills. The mineralized zone strikes F. 17° E. and dips southeast. Between July 1881 and September 1883 the mine produced about 10,000 tons of ore reported to have contained 20 percent zinc, 2.8 percent copper, and some lead. The crude ore was hand-sorted, and some. 3,000 tons were reported shipped.

Jan 1, 1948

By John Ward Smith, Neil B. Young

Shale specific - gravity to oil - yield relationships were developed for black shales of the New Albany Formation of Kentucky from data collected on core samples representing the complete section of the formation in three counties . Linear equations for estimating oil yield from measured specific gravity and for estimating specific gravity from measured oil yield were shown to be applicable within small error limits to all the sites tested . Variation in pyrite content is the largest source of error .

Jan 1, 1964

By Alan R. Buehler

A mineral survey of the 20,792-acre Sand Butte WSA (Wilderness study Area), ID-57-8, was conducted by U.S. Bureau of Mines personnel in 1985, at the request of the Bureau of Land Management. The WSA is in Lincoln County, south-central Idaho, about 15 miles south-southeast of Carey. There are no mines, prospects, or claims within the WSA. Basaltic lava is the only rock type exposed within the WSA. The only mineral resource is a few tons of a platy variety of lava (slab pahoehoe) which is suitable for use as decorative stone. Similar slab pahoehoe, produced from other lava fields in southern Idaho, retails for approximately $125/ton. The deposit in the WSA is too small to be mined commercially but may have value to consumers who gather their own decorative stone. INTRODUCTION A mineral survey of the Sand Butte WSA (Wilderness Study Area) 1/ was conducted in June 1985 by the USBM (U.S. Bureau of Mines) and the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) at the request of the BLM (U.S. Bureau of Land Management). The USBM examines individual mines, prospects, claims, and mineralized zones, and evaluates identified mineral and energy resources. The USGS evaluates potential for undiscovered resources based on areal geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys. Results of the investigations will he used to help determine the suitability of the WSA for inclusion into the National Wilderness Preservation System. The immediate goal of this and other USBM mineral surveys is to provide data to the President, Congress, government agencies, and the public for land-use decisions. The long-term objective is to ensure the Nation has an adequate and dependable supply of minerals at a reasonable cost.

Jan 1, 1986

Several federal and state agencies have promulgated regulations that require the installation of operator protective structures on mobile equipment used in mining, construction, agriculture and logging industries. These regulations cover many different types of vehicles, from small farm tractors to large rubber-tired front-end loaders, and require structures that help protect the operator from death or injury from vehicle overturns, from falling tree tops and logs, from falling rocks, and from tree limbs in clearing operations. Two general types of vehicle operator protective structures have evolved over the past twenty years. The first of these is the "Roll-Over Protective Structure'' or "ROPS" that is essentially a "roll bar" or "roll cage" that provides a relatively safe area for the vehicle operator if the vehicle should tip over and roll. The second protective structure is the "Falling Object Protective Structure" or "FOPS" that provides overhead protection against falling material. The terms "ROPS" and "FOPS" are often used interchangeably (sometimes inaccurately) with "cabs", “canopies” , "roll bars" , protective structures" and other such descriptive names. In this report, "ROPS" describes the function of the structure; "FOPS" also describes a particular function. Thus a ROPS/FOPS could describe a cab or a canopy that provides both roll-over protection and falling object protection. “MESA” is used as an abbreviation for the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration; "USBM" is used to abbreviate the U, S. Bureau of Mines.

By O. M. Bishop

"SUMMARYAs a result of the increased demand for fluorspar during the war, the Bureau of Mines investigated numerous fluorspar properties in the southern Illinois field, which is centered in Rosiclare. Among these the J. J. Shelby 40-acre tract on the western edge of the district presented favorable factors that caused it to be chosen /or exploration.H. G. Spiller, formen lessee of the property, had explored the Shelby vein by means of an adit level and winze, and showed it to contain goad values in zinc and fluorspar at the depth explored. A diamond-drill hole with which Spiller explored the vein 78 feet southwest of the winze, however, failed to cut ore. After studying the field evidence, the Bureau concluded that the vein merited further exploration, particularly at a depth of about 440 feet, where the Fredonia limestone would form the foot-wall of the vein and the hanging wall would be the competent Cypress sandstone.Between October 17, 1944, and March 26, 1945, three diamond-drill holes were bored for a total inclined depth of 1,592 feet. Holes 1 and spaced approximately 500 feet apart, explored the vein at 440 feet 4 below the surface. The economic mineralization existed in the vein where cut. Hole 3 cut the fault at approximately 300 feet below the outcrop but failed to find any vein matter except stringers of calcite with small amounts of pyrite."

Apr 1, 1947

By Thomas V. Falkie, R. Venkataramani

Anderson, L. B., 1963, "Multiple Regression Techniques Correlate Experimental Data," Chemical Engineering, V. 70, N. 12, pp. 223-228. Aubert, E. J., Lund, I. A., and Thomasell, A. J., 1959, "Some Objective Six-Hour Predictions Prepared by Statistical Methods," Journal of Meteorology, V. 16, pp. 436-46. Barrett, A. L., 1958, "Alternating Current in Continuous Mining," Mechanization, V. 22, N. 9, pp. 83-86. Bower, A. B., Jr., 1970, "Bit Design: Key to Coal Cutting," Coal Age, V. 75, N. 7, pp. 70-72. Bower, A. B., Jr., 1971, Personal Communication dated April 29, 1971; General Electric Company, Mining and Metallurgical Products Department, Detroit, Michigan. Burt, C., 1950, "Group Factor Analysis", British Journal of Statistical Psychology, V. 3, pp. 40-75. Cady, L., Gertler, M., Gottsch, L., and Woodbury, M., 1961, "The Factor Structure of Variables Concerned with Coronary Artery Disease", Behavioral Science, V. 6, pp. 37-41. Cattell, R. B., 1965, "Factor Analysis: An Introduction to Essentials I. The Purpose and Underlying Models," Biometrics, V. 21, N. 1, pp. 190-215. Christensen, R. W., Heins, R. W., Babcock, W., and Tonn, R., 1971, "The Effect of Material Properties on Materials Handling Processes," Six Month Technical Report, (August 1971) to Advanced Research Projects Agency, U. S. Department of Defense; The University of Wisconsin. Collins, G., 1961, "Factor Analysis," Journal of Advertising Research, V. 1, N. 5, pp. 28-37. Cooley, W. W., and Lohnes, P. R., 1962, Multivariate Procedures for the Behavioral Sciences, New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Cree, J. 0., 1956, "Power for Continuous Mining," Mining Congress Journal, V. 42, N. 10, pp. 49-52. Draper, N. R., and Smith, H., 1966, Applied Regression Analysis, New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Griffiths, J. C., 1966, "A Genetic Model for the Interpretive Petrology of Detrital Sediments," The Journal of Geology, V. 74, N. 5, pp. 655-672.

Jan 1, 1972

By J. W. Chester

The rapid depletion of zinc-lead ore reserves and the rising costs of exploration have been major factors in the decline of mining activities and explorations for additional reserves in the Tri-State mining district. There is a need to develop new or adopt known, improved exploration techniques that will appreciably lower the costs of exploration. Demonstration of the practicability of using improved techniques to indicate, rapidly and cheaply, mineralized areas or geologic structures where more intensive explorations are justified could stimulate the search for and discovery of additional ore reserves. Various operators in the Tri-State district have used geophysical surveys to some extent since 1928 to guide exploratory drilling. Some geophysical investigations have also been made in the district by the State Geological Surveys of Kansas (11)3/ and Missouri (8, 13) and by Federal agencies (16), with the objective of directing exploratory drilling to areas where geologic conditions favored ore deposition. Many factual data obtained have not been published. The investigations generally have not been broad enough to permit conclusive evaluation of the usefulness of the geophysical techniques in all parts of the district.

Jan 1, 1959

By C. M. McCulloch

The natural vertical fracture system in bituminous coalbeds is called cleat. Cleat orientation commonly controls the direction of mining with major development paralleling the face cleat. Previous researchers have categorized the origin of cleat as endogenetic, relating the origin of cleat to compaction and coalification, and exogenetic, relating the origin of cleat to tectonic forces. In the coalbeds studied for this report it was found that tectonic forces were the controlling factor of cleat formation. Face cleats were formed as extension fractures during structural deformation, and butt cleats, as release fractures during erosion and uplift. The face cleat of the Pittsburgh coalbed rotates from N 80° W in north-western West Virginia to N 57° W in southwestern Pennsylvania; the face cleat maintains a perpendicular orientation to the shifting axial trend of local structures. Cleat orientation in other bituminous coalbeds in Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, and Central Pennsylvania showed a similar relationship to local structure. Directional permeability of coal is directly related to cleat. Holes drilled perpendicular to the face cleat yield from 2.5 to 10 times the amount of gas released as compared with holes drilled perpendicular to the butt cleat.

Jan 1, 1974

By W. W. Adams

"The results of the fourth annual safety contest, 'mown as the National Safety Competition, contacted by the United States Bureau of Mines are herein announced. A bronze trophy, ‘Sentinels of Safety’, the gift of the Explosives Engineer magazine, has been awarded to the leading mine in each of the five groups into which the mines and quarries that participated in the contest were arranged. These five groups were: anthracite mines, bituminous coal mines, metal mines, nonmetallic-mineral mines, and carries and open-pit mines. The leading plant in each group was the mine whose employee lost the smallest number of days from accidents in proportion to the total number of man hours worked. Where two or more mines operated without a lost-time accident, the winner was adjudged to be the plant which operated the largest number of man hours during the year.The contest was based upon reports of accidents and exposure sent by the competing companies to the Bureau of Mines. Records of the five leading companies in each group were made known to a Committee of Award, consisting of the following seven members: H. Poster Bain, Secretary of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers; James F. Callbreath, Secretary of the American Mining Congress; W. H. Cameron, Managing Director of the National Safety Council; H. L. Gandy, Secretary of the National Coal Association; A. T. Goldbeck, Director of the Engineering Bureau of the National Crushed Stone Association; William Green, President of the American Federation of Labor; and A. J. R. Curtis, Assistant to the General Manager of the Portland Cement Association. Members of the committee voted for the winning company in each group in accordance with the rules governing the contest.. A majority vote prevailed."

May 1, 1929

By J. R. Thoenen

In June 1929 the Bureau of Mines issued a 13-page Information Circular entitled "Mineral wool." This was one of the first publications to present to the public some technical aspects of the mineral-wool industry. Since that time several articles have appeared on the subject in the technical press as well as publications by State organizations. Inquiries for information on mineral wool have continued to be received by the Bureau of Mines in large numbers, and in 1935 it was decided, with the cooperation of the is industry, to make a field survey of the plants then producing and to collect therefrom technical data to be compiled in a paper for public distribution. As a first step, a brief questionnaire was mailed to the known producers asking if they would cooperate for publication. Favorable replies were received from of percent of the manufacturers, and the field work was started. As the study progressed and tie number of plants visited grew, it became more and more apparent that the industry had made rapid strides in technical operation and control of their product, as well as in increasing production during the mast decade.

Jan 1, 1938

By James H. Russell

The Bureau of Mines used a statistical approach to evaluate the effects of temperature, current density, and composition of the electrolyte on the purity of boron prepared by electrolysis of a fused mixture of boric oxide in potassium fluoborate. The quadratic equation which best fits the data was calculated for a temperature of 650° to 850° C, a cathode current density of 40 to 1,150 amp/ft2,and a boric oxide content of 0.3 to 7.1 molal. The best products, better than 95 percent boron, were obtained when the current density was less than 2 amp/ft2 and the boric oxide content was less than 2 molal.

Jan 1, 1967

By C. H. Elder

Two degasification test boreholes were drilled to depths of 1,238 and 1,212 feet on Bureau of Mines property at Bruceton, Pa., as part of the Bureau's long-range coal degasification program. The holes provided detailed geologic information and geologic sections, which were correlated with regional stratigraphic cross sections prepared by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey. Gas content determinations and coal analyses were made on the Upper Freeport, Middle Kittanning, Clarion, Brookville, and Mercer coalbeds; gas content of the coalbeds ranged from 53 to 165 cubic feet per ton. Formation pressure and gas flow tests were conducted on selected coalbed intervals in borehole 1; formation pressures ranged from 292 to 473 psig. The middle Kittanning coalbed was hydraulically stimulated using very heavy gelled water, but gas production remained low because gel residue and formation water inhibited the flow of gas. Gas contents in the Clarion, Upper Brookville, and Mercer coalbeds were anomalously low owing to the proximity of porous sand-stones which act as reservoirs for gas migrating from coalbeds.

Jan 1, 1977

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

BIBLIOGRAPHY Allen, C.A, Analyses of Utah Coals, United States Bureau of Mines Technical Paper 345, 1925, pp. 90. Allen, J.E. and E.M. Baldwin, Geology and Coal Resources of the Coos Bay Quadrangle, Oregon, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Bulletin 27, 1944, pp. 160. "Aluminum Boom Raises Productivity", Coal Age, Vol. 82, No.6, June, 1977, pp. 103.

Jan 1, 1978

By E. C. Lane

During the past 15 years the Bureau of Mines has made and published several hundred analyses of typical petroleums and has developed a system of interpreting the analyses and of classifying crude oils. In describing crude petroleum frequent reference is made to the "base" of the oil, a usage the petroleum industry has found convenient. As part of its general study of the characteristics of crude oils, therefore, the Bureau of Mines has developed a system of classifying them according to "base." This system as first published in 19274 was limited to four classes and in its original form is no longer considered adequate. Since the system was first published the Bureau has analyzed a large number of crude oil-, including representative samples from nearly every important producing field in the world, and has found that the system of classification could be revised and amplified to advantage. The revised system is presented herein. Bulletin 2916 states that many oil producers and refiners use the word "base" much as it is used in pharmaceutical work. For example, the "base" or "basis" of an ointment or salve is the fatty material (lard, petroleum, or lanolin) used as a vehicle or carrier for the active medicinal principles. Apparently many of the pioneers in the petroleum industry considered crude oil similar in nature to these medicinal products in that it consists of a semisolid, nonvolatile base and 1 volatile portion can be distilled off to make gasoline, kerosene, and other products. Many crude oils when chilled slowly deposit a waxy material (paraffin); this fact may have been one reason for the use of the term "paraffin base" in referring to such oils. Almost all of the petroleum first discovered in the United States was of this nature; not until the oil industry was extended to California and along the Gulf coast was petroleum found that contained no wax but apparently did contain asphaltic material Accordingly, these oils were known as "asphalt-base" oils. The use of this term, however, seems unfortunate, as better-grade oils of this type contain little if any asphalt; the descriptive term "naphthene base" now seems to be a more desirable term than "asphalt base." The term "intermediate base" is also used commonly in referring to oils intermediate in oharacteristios between those of paraffin and naphthene base.

Jan 1, 1935

By R. R. Brown

The Bureau of Mines undertook a limited feasibility study to determine the practicality of removing copper from automobile scrap by thermal treatment. Test specimens, prepared by wrapping bare and insulated copper wire around small steel coupons, were heated at 600° to 1,150° C in various atmospheres for different lengths of time under both static and dynamic conditions. The tests indicated that adequate removal of copper cannot be effected by thermal treatment of scrap above the melting point of copper. Tests showed that copper present in scrap as insulated wire is embrittled by thermal treatment at 800° to 900° C if the insulation contains lead, and that the embrittled copper is almost completely removed by a mechanical action such as tumbling. Also chemical pretreatment of specimens to effect embrittlement of copper and the magnetic separation of oxide scale were studied. Tests showed that bare copper can be embrittled by depositing waterglass (Na, Si409) on copper prior to thermal treatment.

Jan 1, 1968

By E. R. Palowitch, A. W. Deurbrouck

The Bureau of Mines reviewed available data on the effect of crushing high - sulfur coals for the liberation of impurities in the light of increasingly stringent air pollution regulations . The survey , which provided information on Appalachian region coals only , indicated that such important coalbeds as the Upper and Lower Freeport and the Upper Kittanning show significant sulfur reductions when crushed to 14 - mesh top size . For many other coalbeds amenability to sulfur liberation by crushing was indicated , although too few samples were available to draw firm conclusions .

Jan 1, 1966

By J. W. Thompson

CONVEYANCE OF COAL IN PLACES. Coal or other mineral in place may be granted and conveyed as land, separate and apart from that which underlies or overlies it. Board, etc., of Greene County v. Lattas Creek Coal Co., 100 Northeastern, 561 (Indiana), January, 1913. MINERALS SUBJECT OF GRANT. Coal, mineral, and stone under the surface of the earth are the subject of grant and exception, and when excepted in a deed become a separate and distinct inheritance. Gordon v. Million, 154 Southwestern, 99 (Missouri), February, 1913. CONVEYANCE BY ONE COTENANT. One cotenant of land can not make a valid conveyance as against his cotenants of the minerals therein and a right to the small timber on the surface necessary for mining purposes with easements and full rights of way over the premises by the construction of roads, tram- ways, or railroads for the purpose of extracting, storing, handling, and shipping the mineral products. Ball v. Clark, 150 Southwestern, 359 (Kentucky), November, 1912. CONTRACT OF SALE COVENANTS RUNNING WITH LAND. Where a deed was made pursuant to a contract for the sale of certain copper-mining property at an agreed price, and at the same time and as a part of the same transaction a written agreement was

Jan 1, 1913

This surveillance report summarizes data on work-related fatal and nonfatal injuries, illnesses, and hazardous exposures in the mining industry for the 10-year period 1986-1995. The term "surveillance," as used in public health, may be new to many readers of this report. With regard to occupational safety and health, the goal of surveillance is to describe the occurrence of work-related injuries, illnesses, and known hazardous exposures; to identify new hazards that may occur due to the introduction of new technology or other factors; and to assess the effects of preventive measures designed to improve worker safety and health. Surveillance provides an overall picture, which can be used to focus resources on areas most in need of prevention programs or further research. Surveillance generally requires the use of multiple sources of data, all of which have their own strengths and limitations. Surveillance in the U. S. mining industry is complicated by the fact that U.S. national data systems that provide information on mining are based on two different definitions of the mining industry. One is established by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the other by the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System [Office of Management and Budget 1987] and the 1980 U. S. Bureau of the Census (BOC) Classification System [U.S. Bureau of the Census 1982]. The mining industry as defined by MSHA is based on the regulatory jurisdiction of that agency. Reporting requirements for injuries, illnesses, and workplace exposures are stipulated under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977. Of note is that the oil and gas extraction industry falls outside of MSHA jurisdiction. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was charged with enforcement in the oil and gas industry under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Under the SIC, the definition of mining covers the extraction of naturally occurring minerals, including liquids (petroleum), gases (natural gas) and solids (coal, metal, and nonmetallic minerals). Exploration and development of mineral properties are also included in the SIC definition of the mining industry. The SIC was developed by the Office of Management and Budget for use in classifying establishments based on the type of economic activity in which they are engaged and serves as the industry classification standard for all establishment based Federal economic statistics. This classification is important for occupational safety and health surveillance because it also serves as the industry classification system for all data on work-related injuries and illnesses collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The U.S. Bureau of the Census uses an industry coding scheme similar to that used by the SIC. For the mining industry, the categorization is identical in both systems. Death certificate data made available by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) are categorized under this system. Death certificate data are particularly important for surveillance of mortality from work-related illnesses. Key differences between the SIC/BOC categorization system and the MSHA system can be summarized as follows: • MSHA excludes the oil and gas industry, which is classified as part of the mining industry under SIC/BOC. • MSHA excludes work that is done off of mine property; work off of mine property is included under SIC/BOC if it is performed by an establishment falling into one of the SIC/BOC mining industry codes. • MSHA includes mine-associated mills and processing plants; these are classified under the manufacturing industry, rather than mining, according to the SIC/BOC coding structure. Since the data collected by MSHA and the data collected by BLS and NCHS using the SIC/BOC classification system are both important sources of information on the mining industry and in many cases serve different purposes, data from both systems are presented in this report. In general, data using the SIC/BOC system are comparable across U.S. industries and should be used when comparing mining to other U.S. industries. Much of the data in this report are presented in the form of frequencies or rates. A frequency provides only a count of the number of cases without providing any information about the risk of occurrence. Rates provide an estimate of the risk of injury or illness. The reader is cautioned, however, that rates based on small numbers can be unstable; thus, any inferences should be drawn with care. In this report, no rates are presented for groups in which there were fewer than three cases. The incidence of most injury and illness conditions differs by age, sex, and race. For this reason, data in many surveillance reports are adjusted for these demographic factors. It was not possible to do this for most of the rates in this report because information on demographics was not available. With the exception of the proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs), all data presented are unadjusted. A detailed account of the sources of data is in appendix A. The methods used in data selection and analysis are described in appendix B.

Jan 5, 2000