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By C. P. Haller, S. J. Aresco, R. F. Abernethy

The Bureau of Mines has been active in promoting the purchase of coal for Government use under specifications that define the requirements in terms of heating value of the coal, expressed in British thermal units, and the composition as shown by proximate analyses. To these, when required, are added the ash- softening temperature of ash, the free-swelling index, and the hardgrove grind- ability index. Under most of these specification contracts the bidders guarantee the quality of the coal, and that guaranteed by the successful bidder becomes the standard of his contract. The deliveries are sampled in accordance with instruc- tions issued by the Bureau of Mines; the samples are analyzed in the Bureau laboratory to determine whether the coal is of the quality guaranteed by the con- tractor and, if it is not, a price adjustment is made. Analyses of the delivered coal and tipple samples (samples collected at mine tipples as coal is being loaded into railroad cars or trucks) provide valuable data for use in evaluating future bids. In addition, the continuous sampling of coal as delivered is a check on the practical results obtained in burning the coal. The Government purchased approximately 5-1/4 million tons of coal in fiscal year 1953. In connection with these purchases, the Bureau analyzed 11,435 samples. These are published for the use of Government officials and the public. A series of publications has been completed on coal analyses by States, or, where production is small in any one State, by groups of adjacent States. In addition to analytical data showing composition and quality of coals of the States, the publications con- tain brief descriptions of the geological structure of the coal basins, typical mining conditions in the various districts, the principal economic data of the industry, and the relationship of mine or channel samples to delivered and tipple samples. The present publication covers many States but deals only with the analytical data of the coals. Previous publications in this series are: Bulletin 516, Analyses of Tipple and Delivered Samples of Coal (Collected During the Fiscal Years 1948 to 1950 Inclusive); Report of Investigations 4934, Analyses of Tipple and Delivered Samples of Coal (Collected During the Fiscal Year 1951); Report of In- vestigations 4972, Analyses of Tipple and Delivered Samples of Coal (Collected During the Fiscal Year 1952). Following are the Bureau of Mines technical papers published by States, with their numbers: Alabama, 347; Alaska, 682; Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon, 696; Arkansas, 416; Colorado, 574; Illinois, 641; Indiana, 417; Iowa, 269 and 706; Kansas, 455; Kentucky, 308 and 652; Maryland, 465; Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, 700; Missouri, 366; Montana, 529; New Mexico, 569; Ohio 344 (and Bulletin 499); Oklahoma, 411; Pennsylvania Bituminous, 590 (Supplement 645); Pennsylvania Anthracite, 659; Tennessee, 356 and 671; Utah, 345; Virginia, 365 and 656; Washington, 491 (Supplement 618); West Virginia, 405 and 626; and Wyoming, 484.

Jan 1, 1955

By Aner W. Erickson

"Magnetite iron deposits on Tolstoi Mountain were examined as part of the investigations by the Bureau of Mines of iron and copper ores on Prince of Wales Island. The Tolstoi Mountain project was a part of a program for investigating mineral deposits in Alaska, under the general supervision of R. S. Sanford, acting branch chief.A preliminary examination was made by S. P. Holt, mining engineer of the Bureau of Mines, in company with John Reed, L. A. Warner, and W. S. Twenhofel of the Federal Geological Survey, on July 14, l943. Three samples were taken, rough estimates were made, and it was proposed that the area be mapped, topographically and geologically,. Dip-needle work was added to the program, and it was decided that, should results warrant, the deposits would be diamond-drilled.From March 26 to May 28, 1944, the deposits were examined thoroughly by Bureau of Mines personnel under the direction of the author. Thirty-two acres were mapped with contour intervals of 10 feet, grids were established covering the principal outcrops, over 1,500 dip-needle readings were secured, and the magnetite bodies were outlined. Additional information was gathered by trench inch and channel-sampling, 600 linear feet of trench being dug and 32 channel samples being cut. Finally, the mapped area was checked for nonoutcropping deposits by taking dip-needle readings at 10-foot intervals along the traverse lines, creeks, trails, and all outstanding topographical features. This re-connaissance work gave sufficient coverage of the 32 acres to eliminate the possibility of further magnetite bodies of any consequence remaining undiscovered.Acknowledgment is made to Nile Johannsen, assayer, Territorial Department of Mines, Ketchfkan, Alaska, for determination of samples.The deposits are on Prince of Wales Island in Southeastern Alaska near Tolstoi Pay, a deep-water indentation at the northwest and of Kasdan Peninsula. The physical features are shown on figures 1 and 2 and the location of the deposition figure 3. Old workings were found on the west side of Tolstoi Mountain; between elevations of 650 and 1,150 feet, at distances of 3/4 to 1-1/4 miles from the east shore of Tolstoi Bay.Access to the area is over a brushed foot trail built by the Bureau of Mines. Topography would permit construction of either surface or aerial tramways at moderate cost but would make road building expensive. Deep-water navigation, permitting inexpensive water transportation, is possible the year around.Kasaan Peninsula is an area of moderate relief, being considerably less rugged than the mainland to the east. Most of the mountains and ridges are less than 2,500 feet in height and show evidence of having been covered by the ice cap of the Pleistocene age. Rock exposures below elevations of 2,000 feet are limited, as extensive overburden 2 to 20 feet deep covers the greater part of the peninsula."

Dec 1, 1948

By R. L. Brown

This report, the seventeenth in an annual series, summarizes Bureau of Mines research and technologic work on coal and related investigations for July 1, 1951, to July 1, 1952. It 1s based largely on publications issued during the fiscal year, although 10 some instances data are presented that have not been published previously. Footnote references are given to the publications so that further details on the work may be obtained. Bureau of Mines research on the mining, preparation, and utilization of coal is directed toward developing and encouraging safer and more efficient mining practices and preparing and utilizing coals to the best advantage.

Jan 1, 1953

By George S. Rice, O. P. Hood

The need of protecting mines from the danger of inflow of natural gas from neighboring wells has become more apparent each year since it was found that oil and gas underlie the productive coal measures of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming, and, to some extent, the coal measures of other States. The proximity of the known gas and oil areas in the United States to the coal fields and the manner in which the fields overlap in certain States are shown in the map comprising the frontispiece (Pl. I). As the result of many requests received from various sources a conference to consider the protective measures necessary to insure the safety of mining operations in gas and oil fields was called by the Director of the Bureau of Mines to assemble in Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb- ruary 7 and 8, 1913. To this conference were invited a considerable number of gas-well, oil-well, and coal-mine operators within conven- ient distance from Pittsburgh, as well as State geologists and State mine inspectors from a distance. Gas and oil wells are also found near other kinds of mines, such as shale and limestone mines in western Pennsylvania, but these cases are so few that for this and other reasons it was deemed best to con- fine the present inquiry to the consideration of the questions involved in connection with coal mines. It was also not thought advisable to consider the protection of mines from other kinds of bore holes than those for gas and oil, such as coal-prospecting holes, drilled either with churn or diamond drills, or salt wells and artesian wells, because little trouble has been ex- perienced in mining operations from these classes of wells. There- fore the following papers and discussions concern almost entirely the following relations between coal mines and gas and oil wells: (1) Protection of coal mines froin gas and oil wells penetrating -through: (a) Open workings; (b) inaccessible spaces or goaves; (c) pillars, or coal which may be left as pillars. (2) The manner of drilling gas and oil wells passing through workable coal beds so as to provide protection for future mining. The preliminary inquiries of the engineers of the bureau had dis- closed that there was no uniformity in the methods of protecting mines against the leakage of gas from wells, that thousands of wells in coal fields are abandoned yearly without adequate plugging, and without surveys or records being kept to show the location of the holes, from which the casings are generally pulled. According to the State geologist of Pennsylvania, as many as 3,000 wells are being drilled annually in Pennsylvania, 2,000 of these holes being aban- doned within a single year. It is such unplugged, uncharted wells that are the greatest menace in mining. The quantity of gas that the wells produce, although not sufficient to be commercially avail-

Jan 1, 1913

It was decided to demonstrate the use of latex as a soil sealant by irrigating three small plots at Lanse coded 03A on the west of Brown's run, 3C on the east of the stream, and SB, an area on the spoil bank. Earlier plans to sprinkle latex on twenty acres of the side were abandoned because of easement difficulties. On the basis of results from laboratory soil columns and small plot experiments at Lanse, Naugatex J-3471 was the latex of choice. The irrigation system consisted of plastic pipe (two inch size) for the main line from the water meter to the irrigation area because of lower price and ease of handling. Because the municipal water supply was limited to 20 gpm, low-volume 14V-LA-TNT Rainbow sprinklers were specified with low angle 20° 3/32 inch nozzles to reduce wind effects. At the expected nozzle pressure of 50 psig, each sprinkler covers a 56 foot diameter area at a delivery rate of 1.64 gpm. Each of the three test areas was covered with twelve sprinklers, six used with water alone as a control area and six used with latex and subsequent water spraying. One-quarterturn inlet valves were positioned on the main lines leading to each area. Flow to the treated and untreated areas was set at 10 gpm by Dole flow control valves in the' main entry lateral to each of the six sprinklers. To avoid the use of dilution tanks, a Moyno pump operated by a 1/2 HP, 1140 rpm 5:1 reducing drive was used to deliver 1/2 gpm 48% latex for mixing with 10 gpm water. A 3500 watt gasoline generator provided power for pump and light. Latex was applied at night to take advantage of the lower evaporation and higher humidity. Neutron gauge access tubes were placed in orthogonal arrangement in the areas that were irrigated, with four tubes in the section that were sprinkled with latex and four tubes in the untreated irrigation section in each of the three locations. Each tube, five and one-half feet long and sealed at one end with a plug welded in place, was inserted five feet into the ground in a cored hole. In each irrigation area, the left section of six sprinklers spread the dilute latex while the right section sprinkled the same amount of water to serve as a control plot. As shown in Figure 7 each sprinkler has a 56-foot sprinkling diameter at 50 psig design water pressure. The sprinklers are 30 feet apart on the laterals and 35 feet apart between the laterals. The access tubes (coded AT on Figure 7) were placed in comparable spots on the two sections of each area, so that four soil moisture measurements on the two sections could be compared. Bouyoucos resistance blocks (BB) were also placed in areas 03A and 3C at one, two and three foot depths, but not on the spoil bank area.

Jan 1, 1972

1. COAL PRODUCTION: Under Section 402 of Public Law 95-87 (SMCRA), coal operators are required to pay a fee when coal is sold, used, or transferred. These fees are deposited in the U.S. treasury as the Abandoned Mine Land Fund. Information about the type of coal (bituminous, lignite, or underground) and tonnage are tabulated on Form OSM-1 and submitted with the fee, which is paid quarterly to the Office of Surface Mining. The coal production data presented in this report was compiled from information stored in the Office of Surface Mining Fee Collection System computer data base. Collection of the fee began with the last quarter of 1977; therefore, 1978 data includes the last quarter of 1977 and the first three quarters of 1978. Information for each successive year follows the same tabulation pattern. Surface production includes both bituminous and lignite coal; underground includes tonnage reported as underground mined. In New Mexico and Montana, coal production on Indian land is listed under the Crow, Hopi, and Navajo Tribes. 2. HISTORIC COAL PRODUCTION: Federal Government agencies have published coal production data since 1807, the date of the earliest record. The source of coal production data used to compile this graph was: 1891-1895, U.S. Geological Survey, Division of Mineral Resources; 1896-1977, U.S. Bureau of Mines annual Minerals Yearbook; 1978- 1991, Office of Surface Mining data described in footnote 1 above. 3. NUMBER OF MINES: The number of mines was compiled from Office of Surface Mining Fee Collection System data described in footnote 1 above. Annual totals were calculated by adding together the number of operations with the same Mine Safety and Health Administration numbers reported each quarter and dividing by four to give an annual number in each state. 4. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS: Enforcement action data was compiled from annual reports developed by Office of Surface Mining field offices and historical field office records. The data presented are all actions taken by both the state regulatory authority and the Office of Surface Mining. Citations issued are the sum of Notice of Violations (NOVs) and Cessation Orders (COs). Because the Hopi and Navajo jurisdictions overlap in Arizona and New Mexico, enforcement actions data for the tribes have been combined in annual reports prepared by the Albuquerque Field Office; therefore, they are combined for this report and listed under Navajo Tribe. 5. ACREAGE PERMITTED: Acreage permitted data was compiled from annual reports developed by Office of Surface Mining field offices and historical field office records. The acreage listed was permitted during the year shown and is not the total acreage under permit during that year. 6. BONDS RELEASED: Acreage of reclamation bonds released was compiled from annual reports developed by Office of Surface Mining field offices and historical field office records. The sum of final Interim Regulatory Program bonds and Phase 111 (or final release) bonds shows only the land area where reclamation is complete and has been released by the regulatory authority.

Jan 1, 1992

By J. D. Noll

Elemental carbon (EC) is used as a surrogate for regulating the exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) of underground metal/non-metal miners. EC was chosen as a surrogate because EC is selective to DPM and is a major component of DPM. Using EC as a surrogate also gives one the advantages of no sampling artifacts and being able to sample at all locations in the mine. Currently, EC represents DPM well in underground mines. Some control technologies have been shown to possibly alter the relationship between DPM and EC and characteristics of DPM. Therefore, future work will investigate the relationship between DPM and EC as new control technologies are implemented.

Jan 1, 2002

By J. D. Noll

Elemental carbon (EC) is used as a surrogate for regulating the exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) of underground metal/non-metal miners. EC was chosen as a surrogate because EC is selective to DPM and is a major component of DPM. Using EC as a surrogate also gives one the advantages of no sampling artifacts and being able to sample at all locations in the mine. Currently, EC represents DPM well in underground mines. Some control technologies have been shown to possibly alter the relationship between DPM and EC and characteristics of DPM. Therefore, future work will investigate the relationship between DPM and EC as new control technologies are implemented.

Jan 1, 2002

By D. Harrington

In general, mining is carried on underground, that is, in confined places where it is difficult to obtain adequate lighting and frequently in rock strata requiring much care to prevent caving. Moreover, explosives must be used in mining with the numerous hazards associated with them, and some mines give off explosive or irrespirable gases; also, ma- chinery must be used, usually under conditions much more hazardous than on the surface. These and many other considerations cause mining to be probably the most hazardous occupation in which large numbers of our fellow countrymen are employed. Prevention of accidents in the mining industry is far more complicated than in surface industrial work, even of the more hazardous types, because the different elements that enter into possible accident occurrence are ascertained more readily above ground and suitable action can be taken against them; moreover, errors in connection with prevention of accidents in surface industrial work usually affect only one or, possibly, a few persons, while in zines one human error may readily cause an explosion or other untoward occurrence resulting in the death of scores or even hundreds of persons. This difficulty in the prevention of accidents in and around mines is well-known, and most countries and States have regulations to guard the safety and, to a much smaller extent, the health of workers in mining and allied industries. In general, the State laws and regu- lations regarding the welfare of mine workers are merely a skeletonized outline of some more or less fundamental minimum requirements and are far too general to do much more than suggest some procedure which may or may not be safe or healthful. Most of them are grotesquely out-of-date as applied to present-day conditions, and none of them is adequate to protect life, limb, health, or property. Unquestionably, there is great need for a closer correlation of the laws and regulations of the various States with regard to safety in the mining and allied industries, and while mining conditions vary far too much for a standardized mine safety law applicable to all of the States, on the other hand there are numerous standard and fairly fundamental safety pro- visions which apply to all mines and which should be embodied in the mining codes of all States. Undoubtedly, these standardized safety requirements would be opposed by a consider- able part of the industry, but the ultimate effect would be beneficial to the owners, work- ers, and the general public. For many years progressive mining companies in the United States have not been satisfied to operate only within the meager safety requirements of the State laws or regulations and have adopted additional and far more effective safety procedure of their own, although com- plying also with the State laws and regulations. As a result of this forward-locking policy, zany of these companies have made astonishing progress in the reduction of accidents.

Dec 1, 1935

By Lewis M. McNay

The strength characteristics of hydraulic sandfill modified by varying quantities of type III portland cement and two flocculants were investigated by the Bureau of Mines. Three different sand-cement ratios were examined using different percentages of flocculant. Two other experimental variables were curing time and weight-percent solids for hydraulic mixture. Results of unconfined compression tests with strain are discussed. Maximum strength was achieved with 0.5 weight-percent of ferric sulfate per ton of solids when the slurry mixture was 75 weight-percent solids. The bearing capacity of hydraulic sandfill is reduced by increasing the water content and decreasing the amount of cement mixed with sandfill.

Jan 1, 1976

By Robert Stefanko

This report abstracts project work performed for the USBM Grant No. GO-133077 during the period 19 June 1973 to 15 October 1974. Five reports have been separately produced and are as follows: 1. Mine Electrical Systems Evaluation - Cable Splicing, 2. Mine Electrical Systems Evaluation - Explosion-Proofing of Mine Containers, 3. Mine Electrical Systems Evaluation - Transient Analysis, 4. Mine Electrical Systems Evaluation - Mine Power System Performance, and 5. Mine Electrical Systems Evaluation - Model Coal Mine Electrical System Specifications. Abstracts of each comprise the balance of this executive summary, and 50 copies of each volume have been forwarded to the USBM under the terms of the grant agreement.

Jan 1, 1974

Mining activity during 1977 was limited to the production of limestone, marl, and sand and gravel, all of which were used domestically. Public works projects consumed the major portion of the construction material produced. The consortium of oil companies operating as Esso Ventures Inc., drilled one exploratory well off the coast of southern Belize. For drilling the well, Exxon Corp. received a 57% working interest in the consortium's concession located 40 kilometers east of Puta Gorda. No other offshore drilling was attempted in 1977. Esso also drilled a well on the Anschutz Overseas Inc. concession in the Toledo District of south- eastern Belize. The attempt wee abandoned, but seismic activities continued.

Jan 1, 1981

By Frank E. Cash

The work of the United States Bureau of, Mines is concerned primarily with the prevention of accidents in the mining, petroleum, and allied industries. This report analyzes the fatal accidents in the coal mines of Tennessee and gives the pertinent factors in tabular and descriptive form, with interpretations and suggestions to operators, workers, and the State Division of Mines for the future prevention or reduction of accidents in coal mines. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study was made possible through the cooperation of A. W. Evans, chief mine inspector of Tennessee, and his secretary, Miss Hiliary Penny, who made available the department records and assisted in the segregation and assembly of the data.

Jan 1, 1935

By Fred V. Carrillo

Of the total quantity of secondary copper and zinc that became obsolete in the United States from 19b1 through 1970, more than 11 million tons of copper and 10 million tons of zinc were not recovered. These estimates are based on a study of the flow and recovery of old copper and zinc scrap by consumption end-use. This report describes (1) where copper and zinc are being used; (2) when they become obsolete and available as secondary metal; (3) how they are being collected for recycling; and (4) how much might be recovered from scrap that presently is not being recycled.

Jan 1, 1974

By LaMar G. Evans

The rapid determination of uranium in ores by radiometric means was investigated by the Bureau of Mines. Among the various procedures and schemes tested, two showed most promise. They were the ratio scheme developed in the Bureau's Tucson, Ariz., laboratory and the equilibrium method developed by the Canadian Department of Mines and Technical Surveys. The ratio method is a simple, empirical procedure for classifying the state of equilibrium in ores by measuring their radioactivity by means of a Geiger-Muller counter under three different conditions, using filters. The principal merit of the method is in providing a clue as to the reliability of equivalent uranium determinations.

Jan 1, 1958

By L. A. Morely

Volume II of the final report concerns the application of sensitive ground-fault interrupters (GFIs) to ac utilization circuits in U.S. mines The main concepts examined are shock prevention and methods for reducing nuisance tripping. The research involved a literature search, input from previous Bureau of Mines contracts, and contacts with electrical manufac-turers and mining personnel. Following this background work, several devices that showed promise were obtained and tested. Results of testing indicate the existence of GFIs that may be modified to perform adequately on U.S. mining systems. A recommended set of guidelines is included in the report, covering design, construction specifications, and performance tests.

Jan 1, 1982

By William A. Beck

This report describes the loading and transportation practices employed at the zinc-lead mines of The Eagle-Picher Co., Jo Daviess County, Ill., and Lafayette County, Wis. The report also gives a brief history of the Illinois-Wisconsin zinc-lead district and the operations of the company in the area. The diesel-powered, rubber-tired loading and haulage equipment is described and illustrated from the operational point of view only, and an analysis is made of the materials-handling system without going into health and safety Factors. The costs per ton of the various components of mechanical loading, underground haulage, underground crushing, and hoisting for fiscal year 1960 are tabulated.

Jan 1, 1964

By William A. Beck

This report describes the loading and transportation practices employed at the zinc-lead mines of The Eagle-Picher Co., Jo Daviess County, Ill., and Lafayette County, Wis. The report also gives a brief history of the Illinois-Wisconsin zinc-lead district and the operations of the company in the area. The diesel-powered, rubber-tired loading and haulage equipment is described and illustrated from the operational point of view only, and an analysis is made of the materials-handling system without going into health and safety factors. The costs per ton of the various components of mechanical loading, underground haulage, underground crushing, and hoisting for fiscal year 1960 are tabulated.

Jan 1, 1964

By Thomas A. Giordano

Portable communications equipment is becoming increasingly important in underground mining. Proper selection of microphones and hearing devices to be part of these communication systems is essential if the messages are to be transmitted intelligibly. In this program a thorough study of the requirements for these transducers was made with respect to intelligibility, mechanical configuration, human factors and safety. A computer analysis was made to predict how several combinations of transducers would perform at typical mining noise levels. A survey has been made of those microphones and hearing devices on the market today that might be applicable to the miner communication system. Several systems are proposed and evaluated.

Jan 1, 1976

By Charles H. Etheridge

A new filter cassette is described which can be used with Coal Mine Dust Personal Sampler Units (CFR, Title 30, Part 74). The sealed cassette design reduces the chances of sample loss due to reverse flushing, impact or cassette opening. The filter capsule weight is approximately 400 milligrams and is stable for at least one year in storage. The alpha quartz content of the filter element is less than 5 nanograms per square millimeter of surface. The cassette is designed to be used with a new sampling head. The manufacturing costs of the new cassette will require an increase of approximately 30% in the selling price.

Jan 1, 1978