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By J. J. McClelland

The face area of a continuous mining section of an underground coal mine is the most dangerous area in the mine. Workers there are at nearly twice the risk of death or disabling injury than those in other parts of the mine. Despite extensive training of miners and improved equipment and mining methods, fatality and injury rates have remained constant during the past few years. It is clear that advanced research is necessary to apply new technologies or modify work procedures to solve the continuing problem of the loss of lives and the numerous injuries at the mine face. A U.S. Bureau of Mines research program is developing a Reduced-Exposure Mining System (REMS) that relocates personnel operating the mining machinery at the face away from the hazards to a nearby haven of relative safety. REMS uses proven technologies of computer automation and robotics to help control the operation of the mining machines at the face, while personnel are moved away to a nearby, safe control room. In this protected, well-ventilated environment, they can supervise or control the operation of the machines while viewing what the machine is doing using video and graphic display monitors.

Jan 1, 1994

By Harry Perry, Mary S. Esfandiary

This is a revision of a directory of coal research organizations throughout the world that was first published in 1961 as Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8008. Because of the wide acceptance of the first edition , a revision which would supply up- to - date information on coal research and which would facilitate communication among organizations of similar interest seemed important . This compilation includes the names and activities of organizations of various types -government , university , private , and industry . The areas of investigation that each organization is engaged in are indicated in broad terms : Analysis and constitution , mining and geology , preparation , briquetting , combustion , high- and low-temperature carbonization , gasification , conversion to solid and liquid fuels , and health and safety . Publications issued by and describing the work of each organization are cited ; almost all of the organizations also publish results of their investigations in the technical press . Selected technical and trade publications that publish information on the science and technology of coal and are not published directly by any of the organizations listed are cited in the pages following the list of organizations in each country . Information that would improve coverage and accuracy of the next revision of the publication will be welcomed by the Bureau of Mines .

Jan 1, 1966

By Lloyd A. Morley

Previous research conducted for the USBM by Penn State personnel (Grant GO-101729) found that a need existed to physically model a typical a-c/d-c coal mine section electrical system. Its purpose would be to permit preliminary evaluations of electrical problem solutions prior to launching full-scale investigations. Such use can result in greater flexibility than afforded by present computer models. Furthermore, numerous problems, which would be virtually impossible to incorporate in a computer model at this time, are more easily analyzed with physical simulation. The development of this system is now proceeding at the USBM's Bruceton Research Facilities. However, electrical specifications of scaled down components for its construction are required. This project is a result of that need and has been funded as an extension to Grant GO-133077. The following report covers these specifications. Scope of Work To represent a mined a-c/d-r. coal mine section, the typical component specifications must detail at least: a. one a-c continuous miner, b. two a-c or d-c shuttle cars, c. one a-c or d-c roof bolter, d. one a-c section fan, and e. feeder cables. Further, each machine should be portrayed by each of its general

Jan 1, 1974

By Blair Burwell

This paper describing the method of mining a deposit of vanadium ore near Rifle, Colo., is one of a series of similar papers on metal-mining methods and costs being issued by the United States Bureau of Mines. This vanadium deposit probably is the largest yet found in North America. It is situated 12 miles northeast of Rifle, Colo. (see fig. 1), on the southern flank of tae White River plateau, and is at an altitude of 6,500 feet. Between 150 and 200 tons of ore are mined daily and trucked to the mill at Rifle. The product of the mill is fined vanadium oxide, which is shipped to the company's plaits at Columbiana, Ohio, and Niagara Falls, N. Y., for the electric manufacture of ferrovanadium. HISTORY The deposit was discovered about 1909 by men prospecting for carnotite. Its outcrop on the bola cliff of Rifle Canon had been known to stockmen for many years.

Jan 1, 1932

By William W. Elmer

This paper, describing the mining method at the Black Butte quicksilver mine, is one of a series of papers being prepared by the U. S. Bureau of Mines on mining practices, methods, and costs in the various districts of the United States. It is presented to show the mining practice and costs in the successful treatment of low-grade quicksilver deposits. The operation discussed is an excellent example of w1-pat can be done in working a limited tonnage of low-grade ore under sound management. The Black Butte mine is situated at Black Butte, Lane County, in the southern part of the State of Oregon, 17-1/2 miles from Cottage Grove -- a station on the Siskiyou branch of the Southern Pacific Co. The Black Butte mining district lies in the foothills of the Calapooia Mountain Range, which connects with the Cascade Range on the east and with the Coast Range on the west. The elevation at '.lie reduction plant is 1,000 feet above sea level. The apex of Black Butte Mountain, or which the mine is situated, has an elevation of 2,700 feet. The district possesses exceptional natural facilities infrequently met with elsewhere for the mining and reduction of cinnabar ores. Several factors which contribute to the unusually low mining costs are:

Jan 1, 1930

Although coal is found in several locations in Virginia, almost all recent mining has occurred in the southwestern part of the state. Potentially minable reserves are estimated at 2.6 billion tons, slightly less than one percent of the national total. Coal ranges from high- to low-volatile bituminous, and seams average three to four feet in thickness. Virginia produces coal with higher BTUs (British Thermal Units) and a lower sulfur content than the national average. Historically its high quality has made Virginia coal attractive for metallurgical coke production and for the export market. Coal production and related industries have a significant economic impact in southwestern Virginia. In the seven coal- producing counties, coal mining is the major industry. In the two largest coal-producing counties (Buchanan and Wise), over 40 percent of total earning is derived from the coal industry. Virginia's regulatory program was conditionally approved December 15,198 1, and received final approval May 8, 1984. Its Abandoned Mine Land Program was approved with the regulatory program December 15, 1981, with emergency program authority approved November 13,1987.

Jan 1, 1992

By C. Özgen Karacan

Degasification and methane control in underground coal mining is an important area augmenting conventional ventilation in order to prevent possible fires and explosions due to excessive methane emissions. Coal bed reservoir engineering has been applied for many years to coalbed methane production. In recent years, modeling the flow and draining methane, not only from coal bed itself but also from the overlying strata, have been recognized as important areas of expertise for supplementing underground ventilation. This paper demonstrates the applications of coal bed reservoir engineering and modeling techniques for optimizing and controlling methane emissions in longwall and continuous miner sections. Practical applications and some considerations are presented for reservoir modeling, borehole performances, and face emission predictions for various coal bed and borehole configurations. A section on field reservoir studies and well bore log analyses for methane control are also presented as a complementary way of controlling methane and optimizing ventilation.

Jan 1, 2009

By Doerner H. A.

From thermodynamic calculations Maier predicted that zinc oxide and methane would react at specified temperatures substantially according to equation (1). (1.) ZnO + CH4 = Zn (gas) + CO + 2H2. Other reactions that may take place are (2.) CH4 = C + 2H2. (3.) ZnO + CO = Zn (gas) + CO2. (4.) ZnO + H2 = Zn (gas) + H2O. Maier predicted that 870°C would be the critical temperature above which reaction (1) would take precedence over reaction (2) and that reaction (1), at equilibrium, would be substantially complete at or above 927°C. Theoretical considerations indicate that reaction (1) is reversible: this is supported, but not proved, by experimental data. The other reactions are known to be reversible. At low temperatures reaction (2) requires a catalyst and it is slow below 1000°C. Reactions (3) and (4) are rapid, but the equilibrium constants are such that only small concentrations of CO2 or H2O can be produced below 1000°C. Maier calculated that CO2 should not exceed 0.5 per cent at 870°C., and the calculation for water vapor gives a still smaller order of magnitude.

Jan 1, 1931

By H. A. Watson

Laboratory tests on three commercial methane detectors, two combustion- type detectors and one interferometer-type detector, were made by the Bureau of Mines to determine their response to certain single and multiple flammable gases mixed with normal and abnormal air atmospheres. Although both types of detectors responded accurately to methane-normal air mixtures, they did not show correct concentrations for other single flammable gases in air. Uniquely, the response of the interferometer-type detector to hydrogen was in a negative direction. The effects of individual gases in multiple flammable gas mixtures were approximately additive. In oxygen-deficient atmospheres the methane response of the interferometer-type detector erred on the high side, but only in very low oxygen concentrations were the combustion-type detectors affected-- showing low, erratic methane readings.

Jan 1, 1966

By M. Viswanathan, M. J. Jorgensen, N. K. Kittusamy

Operating heavy construction equipment is often associated with elevated rates of low back discomfort (LBD). However, there have been few formal studies that dealt with evaluating controls that can reduce the LBD among these workers. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using a continuous passive lumbar motion system (CPLMS) in reducing low back discomfort among operators of heavy earthmoving equipment. The CPLMS is an additional seat support that has a lumbar support bladder and a pump to provide cyclic inflation and deflation. Two groups of operators were identified as potential subjects for this intervention study, the intervention group with a mean age of 41.2 years and experience of 9.7 years used the CPLMS, and the control group with a mean age of 37.5 years and experience of 7.6 years did not use the CPLMS. Body part discomfort surveys were collected from both groups. In addition, the intervention group completed a CPLMS preference survey. The body part discomfort survey was collected up to eight days at three different times of the day. Results from the body part discomfort survey showed a decreasing trend the longer the CPLMS was used, for both the upper and low back region. A decreasing trend for the low back was also found comparing morning to evening discomfort scores across the days when using the CPLMS. When compared to their regular seat, 54% of the operators felt very comfortable in using the CPLMS, 36% of them wanted one for their equipment, and 54% showed interest in experimenting with the CPLMS for a longer time period. Results from this study indicate that the use of a CPLMS can effectively reduce the low back discomfort experienced by operators of heavy construction equipment.

By R. Pakalnis, Richard P. Curtin, Lewis A. Martin

Instrumented cable bolts developed at the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were used in conjunction with existing ground control to monitor rock mass loads at various field sites (T.G. Soda Ash, Getchell, Meikle, SSX, K-2, and Stillwater). Axial and shear loads were determined by strain gages to levels of instrument accuracy of ±5 N or ±5 microstrain as these loads were transferred to the instrumented cable bolts. These gages were 12.5 mm long and embedded into a remanufactured king wire that replaced the conventional king wire. Cable bolt performance, quality of grout, and installation techniques were also assessed. By using instrumented cables, a mine operator can determine axial load along the cable at predefined gage locations. By monitoring load on and displacement of the rock mass, more effective ground support can be selected and installed, which will lead to safer working conditions for miners.

By R. Pakalnis, Richard P. Curtin, Lewis A. Martin

Instrumented cable bolts developed at the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were used in conjunction with existing ground control to monitor rock mass loads at various field sites (FMC Granger, Getchell, Meikle, SSX, K-2, and Stillwater). Axial and shear loads were determined by strain gauges to levels of instrument accuracy of ±5 N or ±5 microstrain as these loads were transferred to the instrumented cable bolts. These gauges were 12.5 mm long and embedded into are manufactured king wire that replaced the conventional king wire. Cable bolt performance, quality of grout, and installation techniques were also assessed. By using instrumented cables, a mine operator can determine axial load along the cable at predefined gauge locations. By monitoring load on and displacement of the rock mass, more effective ground support can be selected and installed, which will lead to safer working conditions for miners.

By J. G. Kirby

According to the Bureau of Mines annual survey, there were 318 petroleum refineries in the United States with a total daily crude throughput capacity of 8,632,390 barrels as of January 1, 1956. Compared with the previous year the total number of refineries declined 8 while the crude throughput capacity increased 211,760 barrels daily. Three refinery districts accounted for 90 percent of the crude-oil capacity increase, the California district 34 percent; the Texas Gulf Coast district, 31 percent; and the Indiana-Illinois-Kentucky district, 25 percent. Decreases in capacity during the year were reported for the East Coast, Appalachian #1, and the Arkansas-Louisiana Inland districts. The capacity of the average refinery to process crude oil increased during 1955 from 25.830 barrels daily to 27,145.

Jan 1, 1956

By E. P. Youngman

This paper presents one of a series of digests of foreign mining legis- ation and court decisions that is being prepared in advance of a generel report elative to the rights of American citizens to explore for minerals and to own nd operate mines in various foreign countries. This interpretation of the laws of Demark and her possessions, has been prepared entirely from answers made by Ernest L. Ives, American charge d'effaires, Copenhagen, to a questionnaire ini- isted by the United States Bureau of Mines and transmitted through the courtesy of the Department of State.

Jun 1, 1932

By Richard S. Olsen

Prior work by the Bureau of Mines demonstrated a feed preparation method that eliminates the formation of slime during leaching of calcined kaolinitic clay and makes leached residues fast settling and easy to filter. Nitric acid leaching rates determined for calcined kaolinitic clay prepared by this method were found to correspond to a zero-order reaction model for both batch and continuous, stirred-tank leach-ing. A rate constant of 0.136 min-1 was determined. Separation of solid residues from the reacted slurry was examined, and filtration rates were determined. Permeabilities of the flocculated, leached residues were around 51 darcys, or 5.0 x 10-7 cm2 for laminar flow through 4-ft-deep beds.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. R. Thoenen

During the past 6 years the Mining Division of the U.S. Bureau of Mines has prepared many information circulars containing valuable technical data covering the operating details of mining and ore-dressing plants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other countries. These papers, written for the most part by operating officials in the field, have been designed to comprise a reference library for the operating engineer. In order to make the information contained in these publications more readily available to the busy engineer the enclosed series of reference tables has been compiled. The tabular arrangement is by subject rather than alphabetical order, thus avoiding the bulk of an alphabetical index.

Jan 1, 1935

By Donald E. Redmon

This Bureau of Mines report reviews injury experience in the metallic mineral industries for 1966-67. For each of the years, 27 tables summarize disabling work injuries by department, source of injury, extent of disability, part of body injured, and nature of injury. Correlative information on employment, worktime, and operating activity is also presented.

Jan 1, 1973

By Wm .. W. Odell

There is outlined below the essential facts brought out in an investigation into the causes for emulsion difficulties as experienced at many water gas plants . The investigation was conducted under a cooperative agreement between the University of Illinois Engineering Experiment Station , the Illinois State Geological Survey , and the U. S. Bureau of Mines . Funds of the Illinois Gas Association were used to defray a part of the costs . Active assistance was rendered by the Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company , of Chicago , who furnished a laboratory at Chicago for conducting the experiments , and loaned the services of Mr. E. A. Thiele to help with the laboratory work . A full report on the results of this work will be published by the Bureau of Mines later but it is believed desirable to bring the principal results now to the attention of the industry . In almost every gas plant where carbureted water gas is made , some difficulty is experienced , at one time or another , in separating the tar fran the water that condenses from the gas . The fact that annoyance from this source is ever present in some plants , and seldom present in others , leads to the belief that certain operating variables have considerable to do with the formation of difficulty separable tarwater emulsions . Accordingly , when samples of tar were collected for laboratory study , the operating conditions and methods were simultaneously observed and recorded.

Mar 1, 1922

By Donald E. Redmon

This Bureau of Mines report reviews injury experience in the nonmetallic mineral industries (except stone and coal) for 1968-69. For each of the years, 23 tables summarize disabling work injuries by department, source of injury, extent of disability, part of body injured, and nature of injury. Correlative information on employment, worktime, and operating activity is also presented.

Jan 1, 1973

By Jack L. Henry

The Bureau of Mines conducted seven pioneering experiments in a 12-inch-diameter Kroll reduction reactor to examine the feasibility of coreducing the chlorides of Ti, AI, and V to produce a homogeneous titanium alloy sponge. The coreduction studies proceeded in a normal manner, and the yields of sponge were comparable with those of pure titanium sponge made in the same reactor. Vanadium concentration was very uniform throughout the sponge cake when VC14 in solution in TiCl4 was fed into the molten magnesium. More difficulty was encountered in feeding solid VCl2 and AIC13. Vanadium and aluminum concentration in the sponge was not uniform, and mechanical difficulties were experienced with the small-scale screw feeder. Although the sponge varied in composition from region to region, the ingots prepared from it were uniform in composition.

Jan 1, 1974