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By Roy F. Abernethy

This report describes a method developed by the Bureau of Mines for the determination of beryllium in coal ash. Samples are put into solution by standard wet chemical procedures. Interfering elements are complexed with Na2EDTA, and the beryllium is separated by extraction of its acetyl acetone complex with chloroform or carbon tetrachloride. Final determination is made with Beryllon II.

Jan 1, 1970

By Richard A. Winters

The 31,880-acre Battle Creek Wilderness Study Area (WSA) was evaluated for mineral resources by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1984. No mining district is in the area, nor were any mines or claims recorded or found. Oil and gas leases, or lease applications, covered about half the area in early 1984. No known exploration has occurred. The entire WSA is covered with thick volcanic flows. Faults in these volcanic rocks may have provided conduits for mineralizing solutions emanating from the basement rocks; however, no evidence of mineral deposits was detected from rock samples collected along the faults. Reconnaissance samples from sand and gravel deposits yielded gold at less than $0.02/yd3. The source of the gold is assumed to be intrusive rocks or the Challis Volcanics about 20 miles north of the study area near the headwaters of Battle Creek. No economic concentrations of minerals were found in the WSA. INTRODUCTION Mineral surveys of designated wilderness study areas (WSAs) 1/ are conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the request of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The USBM researches the mining and mineral exploration history and evaluates mines, prospects, and mineralized areas within or adjacent to WSAs. The USGS studies WSAs by regional geochemical and geophysical surveys and geological mapping. The USBM and the USGS investigations are summarized in a joint report used to help determine the suitability of WSAs for inclusion into the National Wilderness Preservation System. Although the immediate goal of this USBM study is to provide data for the President, Congress, BLM, and the general public for land-use decisions, the long-term objective is to help insure that the Nation has an adequate and dependable supply of minerals at reasonable cost.

Jan 1, 1985

By Andrew D. O. O’Brien, Linda J. McWilliams, Joe L. Howell, Douglas E. Pollock, Jeanne A. Zimmer, Andrew B. Cecala

A quick, safe, and effective method has been developed that allows workers to clean their dust laden work clothing periodically throughout the day. For the mining industry, this technique is much more effective than the current federally approved method of using a vacuuming system. This newly designed method is relatively inexpensive and can be easily installed at any operation to allow workers to clean their clothing without contaminating the worker, the work environment. or co-workers to elevated respirable dust levels. This clothes cleaning process uses an air spray manifold to blow dust from a worker's clothing in an enclosed booth, which combines the dust for capture and removal by a baghouse dust collector. Since the air exhausted by the dust collector causes the booth to be under negative pressure. no measurable quantities of dust were ever measure escaping from the booth to contaminate the work environment and/or other workers. The worker performing the cleaning process is required to wear a half-mask fit- tested respirator with an N 100 filter, hearing protection, and full seal goggles. Dust samples taken inside the respirator of test personnel performing the clothes cleaning process showed very minimal to no respirable dust. This clothes cleaning process was performed in less than 20 seconds and was significantly y cleaner than either the Federally approved method of vacuuming, or the most common method or using a single compressed air hose. It was also determined during this research that polyester-cotton blend coveralls clean more effectively than coveralls which are 100 percent cotton. The newly designed clothes cleaning process has potential application to any industry where workers' clothing becomes contaminated with most any type of dust or product.

By V. B. Dale

This report is one of a series covering the mineral resources of the Nation. It briefly describes most of the known tungsten deposits in Gila, Yavapai, and Mohave Counties, Ariz. Many of the descriptions are taken from the reports of previous examinations by Bureau of Mines engineers, and from Defense Minerals Exploration Administration files. Where a previous examination had been made, and an inquiry disclosed that little or no work had been done since that time, pertinent information from the report was used in this paper with acknowledgment of the source. However, the majority of the descriptions is from field examinations by the author. In the past 3 years (July 1956-May 1959) only necessary annual assessment work was conducted on nearly all the properties described in this paper. There was no active mining on any of the properties examined.

Jan 1, 1961

By Wils L. Cooley

The report covers tests and criteria for the establishment of safe grounding systems for coal mines. The work deals primarily with under-ground coal mines, but much is applicable to surface mines as well. Included is an extensive guide to grounding and bonding procedures for mine surface substations. Xit-Rods are evaluated and shown to deviate from manufacturer's claims. An analysis shows that very long cables are difficult to monitor using audio frequency ground-check techniques. A method is developed to detect failing cable splices without removing the cable from service. Simulation and measurement are compared for a technique to detect bad rail bonds, and an assessment is made of grounding techniques for dc face equipment.

Jan 1, 1979

By David K. Denton

Results of the mineral resource study of the Upper Priest Lake RARE II study area indicate a low potential for the discovery and economic recovery of silver and lead in the Prichard Formation near contacts with the Kaniksu Batholith in the vicinity of the Mountain Chief Mine (fig. 1). Silver and lead minerals locally occur disseminated and in irregular quartz fissure-fillings in the Prichard Formation. Between 18^6 and 1967, 105 lode raining claims were located in the study area. The area was designated for "further planning" in the Final Environmental statement but was later changed to "nonwilderness" by President Carter after work was scheduled for the area.

Jan 1, 1981

By G. P. Houston

This is the final, report submitted for the Contract No. H0220002 with the U. S. Bureau of Mines for the design and development of a Permissible Automatic Data Acquisition System (PADAS) to measure and record roof stresses in underground mines Basically the PADAS is a portable, battery powered, 24-channel data acquisition system designed for safe unattended operation of up to 30 days duration in explosive environments. The unit will accommodate twenty-four pressure transducers or eight borehole deformation gages (or any combination) at distances up to 300 feet from the PADAS to measure pressures up to 10, 000 psig. All 24 channels as a selected group are scanned sequentially at one of several selectable rates.

Jan 1, 1973

By G. R. Hopkins

A recently completed survey , made by the Bureau of Mines to determine the trend of fuel consumption at refineries in the United States , showed the following outstanding points : A decrease in the use of oil for fuel in 1927 of over 5,000,000 barrels as compared with 1926 ; a decrease in the use of coal of over : 1,000,000 short tons ; small increases in the use of both natural gas and refinery gas ; an increase in the use of petroleum coke . The decrease in fuel - oil consumption was approximately 2,000,000 barrels each in the Atlantic Coast , Texas , and Louisiana- Arkansas districts , with an increase of 1,000,000 barrels in the Indiana - Illinois district , or a net decrease of 5,000,000 barrels . The decrease in fuel- oil consumption by refineries in the Texas and Louisiana- Arkansas areas was offset largely by increased consumption of natural gas and refinery gas , whereas the increased consumption in the Indiana- Illinois region was more than offset by the decrease in coal consumption . The use of coal for fuel declined from 6,052,000 short tons in 1926 to 5,031,000 short tons in 1927. Practically all of this decrease was recorded in the Appalachian and Indiana- Illinois districts , which at the same time showed the largest percentage increase in the use of oil for fuel . It is probable , therefore , that although coal prices also fell off , a considerable quantity of oil replaced coal in this area in 1927. In addition , the group of refineries , which are by location more or less definitely committed to the use of coal for fuel , undoubtedly succeeded in saving a material amount of coal through the use of more efficient fueling methods . A total of 130,815,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas was consumed for fuel at refineries in 1927. This represents an increase of 8 per cent over the 1926 total . Nearly all of this increase resulted from the opening of a line from the Monroe field to Baton Rouge , La . Had this line not been opened , there would have been a decrease in the use of natural gas , as a number of districts , particularly the Rocky Mountain , reported decreases in its use . The use of refinery or still gases for fuel did not change materially during 1927 , there being a total of 52,807,000,000 cubic feet burned as compared with 52,077,000,000 cubic feet in 1926. Refinery gases are largely a product of cracking and , it was probably more than a coincidence that a few districts in which cracking slowed down in 1927 also reported less refinery gas used as fuel .

Jun 1, 1924

By W. M. Myers

Jet is a substance of organic origin and has been defined by the U. S. Geological Survey as a "dense black lignite, taking a good polish, and sometimes used for jewelry". Jet is characterized by the lustrous, intense black surface it displays when polished. It is due to this property that the expression "jet black" is so commonly used to imply intense blackness.

Jan 1, 1923

The objective of this study was two-fold: 1. To perform a world literature search pertinent to the analysis, selection and design of hoisting systems and their components and to codify the search into a literature compendium. The search resulted in a technical data file of over 1500 hard copy items. The compendium index was also suitable for establishing a comprehensive computer-loaded data base on the subject. 2. To develop a comprehensive system of guidelines to cover salient aspects of analysis, selection and design of electrical, mechanical and structural components of a hoisting system with a view to establish parameters for maximum safety and efficiency of operation, installation and revision of the system. 3. (a) In-shaft equipment design and specification criteria are considered as they influence guideline preparation. (b) A comprehensive review of hoist electric drives and controls as applied to mine hoists is set forth with special reference to duty cycle calculations and their effect on electrical component selection.

Jan 1, 1988

By David E. Fogelson

One model each of three different makes of portable displacement seismographs was calibrated on a shaking table capable of 5,000 pounds of force, Calibration tests were conducted in the frequency range of 5 to 200 c.p,s, and in the amplitude range of 0,002 to 0.05 inch peak-to-peak, The seismographs were tested under two mounting conditions: (1) The feet of the instrument were bolted to the shaking table, and (2) the feet were resting on emery cloth affixed to the table, The results of these tests show that, in the frequency range of 5 to 40 c.p,s, and for vibration levels less than 0.2 g, the magnification for all three instruments is constant with input level but varies slightly with frequency. For vibration levels greater than 0.4 g. and for frequencies greater than 40 c.p.s., the magnification of all three instruments shows large variations with frequency and amplitude of table motion.

Jan 1, 1962

By Frank D. Lamb, D. A. Woodard

"INTRODUCTION The iron-ore deposits near Cranberry, N. C., were worked as early as 1820, and records show that to date at least 1,500,000 tons of ore has been mined.. The early operators depended on selective mining and hand cobbing to yield a product containing 40 to 50 percent iron. Later, a magnetic concentrator was erected by the Cranberry Furnace Co. and was operated periodically until 1930. The magnetic cobbing method employed yielded satisfactory concentrates, but the plant was shut down because costs were too high. 4/Early in 1944, in connection with the sponge-iron program of the Bureau of Mines, North Carolina and Tennessee were surveyed for the purpose of finding a readily available source of high-grade iron ore for use in the experimental production of sponge iron at Salisbury, N. C., and samples from various sources were tested in the laboratory. The Cranberry ore proved to be best with respect to grade of magnetite concentrates produced, and it was decided that a pilot mill should be built on the Cranberry mine property and that the concentrate made there should be shipped to Salisbury for direct-reduction tests in a commercial brick kiln."

Dec 1, 1946

By R. L. Rankin

The program objective was to conduct surveys of respirable dust concentrations in coal mining operations at locations outby the working face. The results of these surveys were directed toward 1. identifying outby dust sources, 2. evaluating the severity of the major dust sources, 3. establishing dust sampling frequency, 4. establishing dust sampler locations, and 5. assessing the? areas of influence of the dust sources. The study included dust sampling of only nonhigh risk personnel and areas at six dif-ferent mines. Thirteen continuous mining, four longwall and two conventional mining sections were sampled. The severity of outby respirable dust sources such as load points, runways, dump points, beltways, transfer points and main haulage operations were characterized and areas within the mine were ranked according to severity. Information on engineering controls was also acquired. Guidelines for implementing a dust sampling program are presented and include sampler locations, ventilation surveys, dust surveys, effects of shift-to-shift variations, and sampling frequency.

Jan 1, 1980

By Homer J. Ballinger

The Krueger property was examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines in September 1943. The records of 23 old drill holes indicated an appreciable body of ore without delimiting the deposit. It appeared that additional drilling might increase this reserve sufficiently to justify mining. Accordingly, the Bureau of Mines drilled 5 churn-drill holes and 19 diamond-drill holes on the Krueger tract. The last of these holes concluding the Bureau?s project was completed in April 1947.

Jan 1, 1948

By Louis Schaffer

A literature review concerning dredging hazards and dredge safety practices and an examination of MSHA accident and injury statistics on dredge mining in the United States provided the background for an analysis which was completed by visiting 31 dredge operations, dredge manufacturers, and dredging experts. The principal hazards are discussed and countermeasures are suggested in several areas. Drowning is the single largest fatal injury category. Special emphasis is given to the design, care and use requirements of personal flotation devices.

Jan 1, 1984

By C. P. Hood

"The amount of ash in anthracite coal interests every buyer, and occasionally produces caustic comment, but there is a lack of authentic figures that will take the subject out of the realm of opinion and agitated fancy and. give a true picture of the quality of coal actually delivered. What per cent ash is to be expected when the coal is good, and when have we a right to make serious complaint?During the past summer the Bureau of Mines took 127 samples of 1000 pounds each, representing nearly 30,000 tons of anthracite is dealers' yards in seventeen cities in the State of Massachusetts. There were three objects in view, to discover the average and the variation in amount of ash in anthracite in some easily described area; to demonstrate standard sampling methods, and to learn something about the feasibility of itinerant coal sampling. Massachusetts was selected because its principal cities could be visited in a single season. There also appeared need for demonstration of standard sampling of coal, since a coal quality law had been passed in the State, to be administered by those unfamiliar with coal sampling."

Feb 1, 1924

This appendix is composed of five sections, each of which is tabbed for ease of access. The sections are as follows: ? Fire incident report forms for underground mine fires. There is one form for each incident listed in Table II-1a. They are ordered chronologically with incident numbers corresponding to those in Table II-la. ? Fire incident report forms for surface mine fires. There is one form for each incident listed in Table II-lb. They are ordered chronologically with incident numbers corresponding to those in Table II-lb. ? Journal article report forms. There is one form for each article reviewed. They provide supplemental information to that contained in the fire incident report forms for selected fires. Index 11-14 keys the journal article report forms to the appropriate fire incident report forms. ? Non-reportable incident descriptions for underground mine fires. This is a listing of underground fires for which MSHA regulations do not require formal reports. ? Non-reportable incident descriptions for surface mines. This is a listing of surface fires for which MSHA regulations do not require formal reports. This appendix is intended to be used in conjunction with the tables and indexes contained in Volume II of this report and, as such, should be considered an integral part of Volume II. The indexes in the body of Volume II provide a means of ready reference to the underground and surface mine incident report forms. For those readers with interests other than those indexed, Tables II-la and II-1b can be used to locate specific incidents of interest. Complete incident information can then be obtained from the corresponding report forms in the first two sections of this appendix.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. P. McGee

The Bureau of Mines is doing research and development work on a coal-fired gas turbine plant initially developed by the Locomotive Development Committee, (LDC) of Bituminous Coal Research, Inc. The Bureau is redesigning the turbine blading and some of the auxiliary equipment, and is reerecting, the plant at the Morgantown (W. Va.) Coal Research Center. The present goal is a 1,500-hour run at virtually the same operating conditions used by the LDC in their final 1,100-hour test with the turbine. This will allow the Bureau to properly evaluate the new blade design. Erosion of the turbine blades (particularly the roots) by ash in the hot gases from the combustion of coal was the most serious problem in extended operation in earlier experimental work. New blades made of Stellite6 are being fabricated for the stator and rotor, and armored wear strips of titanium carbide will be inserted in the blades at the areas of probable maximum ash velocity and concentration. The trailing edges of the rotor and stator blades are being thickened and thinned, respectively, to induce the ash to travel to the casing and prevent it from returning to the base of the rotor blades. The first stage rotor and second stage stator blades are being removed to provide an annular space for maximum quantities of coal ash to centrifuge to the casing. Additional blades will be added to most of the rows in the stator to stop secondary flow of dust-laden gas toward the rotor. A contract has been awarded for fabrication of the new blades. The 1,500-hour run will be started as soon as the new blades are installed.

Jan 1, 1962

By Eric Nordhausen

This report and associated deliverables is the culmination of a comprehensive literature survey, data collection and identification of over 500 metal/nonmetal active mines/mills/smelters (over 50,000 tons per year, TPY, production) in the contiguous 48 states. The main purpose was to compile an inventory of the mine/ mill/smelter waste tonnages, thus forming a data base for future research and development in improving waste management and waste disposal techniques in the metal/nonmetal mining industry. The study specifically excluded sand and gravel, sulfur, granite and any commodity that leaves basically no waste when mined and/or milled. The coal waste inventory is the subject of another report. The study provided for locating, mapping. encodating and digitizing all the mine/mill/smelter information made available throughout the nation as well as the climatological, land use, topographical, ecological and vegetative data. Mine/mill/smelter information also included (where possible) acreage and/or volume, mining methods, primary ore and gangue minerals, waste composition and haulage methods and distance hauled. Finally, a discussion is provided concerning present and potential uses of various types of tailings, as well 8S recommending possible R&D in addressing problem areas in waste disposal techniques and management.

Jan 1, 1981

By P. D. Laverty

The U.S. Bureau of Mines treated mixed and contaminated super alloy scrap by pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods to separate and recover metal values. Best results were obtained by leaching Zn-treated or atomized scrap with HCI-02 at 9SO C and 50 psig 02' This resulted in dissolving approxi-mately 98 pet of the AI, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn while rejecting over 98 pct of the Mo, Nb, Ta, Ti, W, and Zr as an insoluble refractory residue. Chlorine was successfully substituted for HCI to leach Zn-treated scrap but was unsuccessful for leaching atomized scrap. The leaching solution was treated by pH adjustment and hydrothermal precipitation at 2000 C for 4 h to remove AI, Cr, Fe, and other contaminants as a filterable precipitate. Recovery of Co and Ni would be accomplished by solvent extraction and e1ectrowinning. Chromium recovery as a ferroalloy was demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1989