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Senior staff representatives of the Bureau of Mines and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) met in Washington on September 6, 1972, to review and evaluate their cooperative accomplishments to date and to consider the planning and conduct of future coordinated activities. The six presentations given at this joint staff seminar are published here for the benefit of those concerned with the problems of coal mine health, and especially those with responsibilities in administering the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.

Jan 1, 1972

By R. S. Dean

The function of the Metallurgical Division is to conduct investigations relating to the treatment of mineral products from the state in which they are mined to the refined metal or other unfabricated product. These investigations include scientific and practical studies of ore dressing, covering the crushing and grinding of ores, separation by gravity, flotation, and magnetic methods; the hydrometallurgical treatment of ores, including cyanidation and amalgamation of the precious metals; the smelting and refining of copper, lead, and zinc, as well as the rare metals; and steel-melting practices from the raw ore to the finished steel. The object of this work is to conserve natural resources and eliminate waste by furnishing information on current methods of metallurgical practice, making fundamental studies of metallurgical processes, and developing new processes to the point of demonstrating their practicability. The Division is made up of sections devoted to the several phases of this work, each section being beaded by an investigator capable of supervising his particular work. The work is carried on at the experiment stations and field offices or in the field, whichever seems test suited for the work in hand. The following projects should be mentioned as particularly outstanding among those consummated successfully during the year: 1. Application of the type of chemicals known in the textile industry as wetting-out agents to flotation and agglomeration of ores, particulary soluble salts such as sodium and potassium chloride which must be treated in saturated brine. 2. Demonstration of a linear relation between surface and coercive force in magnetic minerals and its application to magnetic separation and to the determination of grinding efficiencies and other metallurgical data which require surface determination at very fine sizes. 3. Pilot-plant demonstration of the practicability of the reduction of iron ore by natural gas and conversion of this direct iron into steel by direct melting and by forging and rolling before melting. The structure and properties of the iron so produced were studied in detail. This report covers the fiscal year July 1, 1934, to June 30, 193b.

Jan 1, 1936

By Robert H. Peters

This report presents findings from a Bureau of Mines study on barriers that may prevent miners from correcting and avoiding groundfall hazards. Such barriers stem from four basic types of problems: (1) inability to recognize groundfall hazards, (2) inability to correct groundfall hazards, (3) lack of motivation to search for groundfall hazards, and (4) lack of motivation to correct groundfall hazards. Data are presented that summarize the views of miners, section supervisors, and mine inspectors about the contribution of these barriers to groundfall accidents and what they think should be done to reduce the frequency of injuries sustained by falls of roof and rib. The report also includes a summary of miners' responses concerning their recent experiences with groundfall accidents, along with industrywide statistics on accidents and injuries caused by ground falls in underground coal mines.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. W. Watson

In January 1980, the Bureau of Mines initiated an experimental program to examine the fire and explosion hazards of one-hour self-contained self rescuers (SSRs). This action was prompted by a growing concern on the part of government and industrial safety officials over the potential hazards of these devices when deployed on a large scale in underground coal mines. Prior evaluation of the safety of these devices had been at best sporadic and usually limited to experimental models. The recent availability of preproduction models of a l-hour SSR fabricated by the Mine Safety Appliance Company* and a production model manufactured by Dragerwerk Ag Lubeck of the Federal Republic of Germany allowed for a more comprehensive and meaningful evaluation of their safety in underground coal mines. This report summarizes the results of a 5-month study of the potential hazards of these two items. During the course of the work, periodic progress reports were presented to officials of the Mine Safety and Health Administration and various mining organizations including the American Mining Congress, Bituminous Coal Operators of America. National Independent Coal Operators Association, and the United Mine Workers of America. The free exchange of ideas that occurred during these meetings had a significant impact on the direction of this study and a serious attempt was made to address all of the issues that were raised at these meetings. The authors are extremely grateful to the individuals that participated in defining the specific problems that could arise as a result of deploying the self-contained self rescuers in an underground coal mine environment.

Jan 1, 1980

By D. J. Parker

The oft-repeated expression that the taproot of safety lies in the attitude of the management toward accident-prevention work is indisputable and has become almost an axiom. Trite and somewhat timeworn though the statement may be, it is nevertheless true that the supervisory force must earnestly support a policy of safety and maintain at all times a con¬ siderate regard for the welfare of the employee if that high degree of cooperation of the employee, so vital to the successful prosecution of any safety program, is to be expected. The responsibility for preventing accidents rests upon the management, and in the case of the Spring Canyon Coal Co. such responsibility is recognized and accepted with little or no reservation. This company, aside from the humanitarian aspects involved, believes that safety is good business and not a matter to be treated passively or in a perfunctory manner. The problems with respect to safety that have been met and wholly or partly solved can best be appreciated when some of the natural conditions, adverse and otherwise, existing at this operation are taken into consideration. Mine 1 is about 1 mile north of the town of Spring Canyon, Carbon County, Utah, and is served by both the Denver & Rio Grande Western and Utah Coal Route railways. During the year 1931 the mine produced 312,397 tons, approximately 10 per cent being derived from pillar workings. The normal daily output during the summer months is about 2,000 tons, and during the peak of production in the winter season the daily production varies from 2,500 to 3,000 tons. The number of miners varies from 87 in summer to 220 in winter, and the day men vary in number from 66 in the winter to 45 in the summer; 12 company men are employed the year around. The officers of the company are J. B. Smith, president, San Francisco, California; T. R. Stockett, general manager, Salt Lake City; and G. A. Murphy, superintendent, David Brown, assistant superintendent, and John Sullivan, mine foreman, all of Spring Canyon, Utah.

Dec 1, 1932

By L. T. Grose

The Bureau of Mines conducted a comprehensive study of the Kanab, Kolob, Kaiparowits, and Harmony coalfields of southwestern Utah to obtain additional information and to determine the potentials of these coalfields as sources of energy for steam-electric power-generating plants. Field examinations were made to ascertain the geologic structure and the stratigraphy of the coalfields, the accessibility of the coal-bearing strata, and the general nature of the coal-bearing strata and the terrain. Many mines, both active and abandoned, were examined, and key personnel in the coal industry in the area were consulted. Available analyses of southwestern Utah coals were compiled, and tentative conclusions regarding the rank and quality of the coals were drawn. Coals have been classified by rank according to the standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials in 1964. The Parr formula for moist, mineral-matter-free British thermal units has been used to calculate the rank of each sample, except as otherwise noted. Water resources related to the areas of the coal reserves also were investigated. Existing literature and maps pertaining to the geology of the areas were reviewed. Production potentials of the coalfields and economic conditions affecting the possible utilization of the coal reserves as sources of energy for steam-powered electricity-generating plants were investigated and analyzed. The data obtained and the conclusions reached as a result of this study are included in this document. The total reserves of subbituminous A and high-volatile bituminous C coals in the fields of southwestern Utah are estimated to be at least 8 billion short tons at depths generally less than 2,000 feet. It appears likely that this estimate will be increased as additional data are made available through exploration and other investigations. Sufficient coal is available in four southwestern Utah counties to supply three or four large steam-electric plants. If the States involved grant water rights to companies planning to build steam-electric plants, the cost of producing power with coal might be attractive and might justify the construction of one or more of these plants.

Jan 1, 1967

By Roger L. King

The Bureau of Mines has developed probes to be used in emergency mine rescue operations by being lowered through a borehole drilled into an underground mine. Various probes can provide two-way voice communication with trapped miners, continuous mine atmosphere monitoring, temperature indication, and television searching capability. At present, an infrared imaging probe is being developed for "seeing" through coal smoke.

Jan 1, 1976

By N. Dixon

This report summarizes all work performed under U.S. Bureau of Mines Contract J0377014, "Development and Evaluation of Noise Control Techniques for Taconite Processing Equipment." Three areas of taconite processing equipment, grinding mills, fine screens, and crusher screens have been investigated. Extensive noise and vibration measurements have been made on grinding mills in which the process parameters that affect mill noise have been identified, and the level of shell impact noise around the mill defined. A multiplexing telemetry system was used to obtain shell vibration measurements from a rotating mill. Mill noise control methods were investigated and a partial mill barrier was built and tested on a semi-autogeneous mill. A noise reduction of approximately 3 to 6 dBA was achieved on the falling side of the mill. The use of rubber mill liners on autogenous mills has been evaluated. The noise sources on fine screens have been quantified, and noise control treatments developed. Noise reductions of 11 to 13 dBA were achieved at positions around the fine screen and some in-service testing has been done. Noise measurents of crusher screens were obtained and noise control through resilient screen decks appears to hold the most promise. Additional benefits might be lower life-cycle cost, since the service life of resilient decks is claimed to be longer than steel.

Jan 1, 1983

By R. S. Dean

This is the fourth of a series; of annual report of the Metallurgical Division to be released in this form and cover the fiscal year July 1, 1937, to rune 30, 1938. This report is not merely a recitation or brief of the year's work; it contains technical information in usable form, although a some of this has appeared or will he issued in greater detail in separate reports. The table of contents that follows fists the principal investigations accomplished and those that are being continued. Other projects are being begun and contemplated for the next year.

Jan 1, 1938

By Arno C. Fieldner

Six years ago, I addressed the annual meeting of the American Society for Testing Materials on "Fuels of Today and Tomorrow."3/ Since then, our country has been drawn into another great war of veritably global extent, with unprecedented demands on fuels, foods, and materials in general. My purpose in this address is to review the changes in fuel supply and demand since 1937 and to give you my views on the outlook for the future. CONDITIONS IN. 1237 Daring 1936 the United States produced and consumed one-third of the world production of coal, two-thirds of the petroleum, and about 95 percent of the natural gas. Two-thirds of the oil produced in all countries since the discovery well was drilled in 1859 had come from American wells. With the exception of the three depression years 1931, 1932, and 1933, new oil reserves were being discovered since 1924 well in excess of our increasing rate of consumption. Discoveries of natural gas, likewise, were tremendous in volume, and this fuel was being transported to most parts of the country by pipe lines; some of them more than 1,000 miles long. We had all kinds of mineral fuels in abundance and at prices that did not stint anyone in the maximum utilization of the mechanical devices that were being developed on every hand. No one suspected that the time might come in a few years when, gasoline would be doled out to some of us at the rate of 1-1/2 gallons a week or that many of our fuel-oil furnaces would have to be converted to burn coal. Of course, these restrictions are due to unusual war conditions, such as lack of coastwise tanker transportation, unprecedented demand for aviation gasoline, and the shortage of rubber for automotive tires. However, these shortages do call our attention to the vital part of petroleum reserves in our country's future position among nations. Therefore, it is of special interest to review briefly the relations of recent supply and demand with respect to our various mineral fuels.

Jan 1, 1943

By IRENE AITKENS

The emerald is the most costly of all gems , due to the scarcity of flawless stones . This fact gave rise to the ancient axiom , " As rare as an emerald without a flaw . The finer gems not only command the highest prices at all times , but when flawless are considered the most highly prized of all gem stones . George F. Kunz divides emeralds into two distinct classes : " Exceptional specimens , " which bring as much as $ 6,000 a carat ; and " fine- quality specimens , " which bring about $ 1,000 a carat .

Jul 1, 1931

By Eliezer Kamon

To finalize the three years granted for the study of miners physiological responses to emergency situations, all the data obtained, were summarized into the following relevant sections; A.. Information on elements of the Man Test required under Subpart 4, Part 2, Title 30 in the Code of Federal Regulation (see Table M-T and Ref. I., Section A). B. Investigation on possible emergency activities, its simulation in the laboratory and the physiologic data obtained on miners performing them This included some studies under cool ambient conditions, expected to prevail in coal mines. C. While in section B the steady state responses have been obtained, time was devoted to establish a unit that will allow data gathering for non-steady state, i.e., transient responses to rapidly changing activities. Section B and C contained elements that were relevant to section A; the Man Test. Therefore some of the information described under section A Man Test, were actually measured during the battery of tests in either section B or in section C.

Jan 1, 1974

By J. A. Kost

The contract objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of available dust-control technology for double-drum shearers. Eight underground surveys were conducted to evaluate drum design, drum spray nozzle locations, ranging-arm sprays, water quantity, wetting agents, and cutting techniques. The final report is made up of eight dust-control technique reports, each discussing, details of the individual mine surveys.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. F. Droullard

The Bureau of Mines has developed test facilities for use in a research program that deals with radiation hazards in mining. This report describes the radon test chamber located at the Denver Research Center and the Twilight experimental mine located near Uravan, CO.

Jan 1, 1984

By E. V. Cilento, R. C. Laotz, K. A. DiGregorio

"PULMONARY ALVEOLAR macrophages (PAM) protect the lungs by providing a first line of defense against inhaled foreign debris and bacteria. In this role PAM phagocytize foreign matter, secrete enzymes that augment microbial killing and digestion, and produce reactive oxygen me-tabolites (2, 3, 18, 19, 22, 26). However, in addition to this antibacterial function, PAM participate in a diversity of functions, such as tissue repair, lipoprotein metabolism, and immunoregulatory activities (11, 22).Studies have suggested the existence of a heterogeneous population of PAM with respect to immunologic function, enzyme release, phagocytosis, morphological characteristics, expression of membrane receptors, ad-herence, and superoxide (O2•) release (4-7, 10, 16, 21, 23, 28). This heterogeneity has been observed by analyz¬ing subfractions of PAM separated by cell density frac-tionation. For example, using guinea pig PAM, Dauber et al. (7) showed heterogeneity in cell density and size, morphological characteristics, and cytochemical properties, whereas Holian and co-workers (16) reported variations in migration, chemotaxis, O2• release, and pinocytosis among subfractions collected. Similarly, O'Neill et al. (21) observed functional heterogeneity in rat PAM with regard to phagocytosis, O2 • release, and lysosomal enzyme activity.Several investigations have reported a correlation between PAM activity and cell volume. Most studies have shown that O2 release from PAM increased with decreasing cell size (15, 21, 25), although Bielefeldt Ohmann and Babiuk (4) reported a decreasing trend. However, Gallin (13) has suggested that significant variability may even exist within density-defined or cell-volume subfractions that could lead to misinterpretation of results concerning PAM heterogeneity.A better understanding of the heterogeneity in O2 production may be obtained by using single cell meas-urements to evaluate whether functionally distinct sub-populations actually do exist. As such, the present study was designed to examine heterogeneity in O2 • release from single PAM using a recently developed electrooptical technique (8). The initial oxygen metabolite, O2•, produced by NADPH oxidase at the surface of the plasma membrane, was measured by quantifying the reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT I to a diformazan precipitate. Measurements were made from video recordings of individual cells stimulated by their adherence to the bottom of a culture dish. The cell volume and degree of spreading also were determined directly from the same video recordings, and the data were correlated with the initial rate and maximum amount of diformazan produced by the same cell."

Mar 1, 1992

By D. D. Hamilton

The ISMS program provided for the development and demonstration of equipment modifications for improved safety in both conventional and continuous coal mining systems. This report documents the success of the program in identifying accident hazards in underground coal mines with 4-to 8-foot seam heights, in designing modifications to reduce the hazards, and in demonstrating improved safety through extended underground use of the ISMS equipment.

Jan 1, 1977

By Stanton L. Tainter

When the disruption of gold mining stopped the usual source of siliceous flux needed by copper smelters , sandstone copper deposits in northern Arizona offered possibilities as a source of the flux during the war emergency . The Federal Geological Survey , while making a comprehensive survey of sandstone copper deposits , investigated the Warm Springs mining district in northcentral Coconino County in August 1943. A month later , J. H. Hedges , chief of the Tucson Division , Mining Branch , Bureau of Mines , examined the operations in connection with an application for an access road . Both investigations concluded that the district , as an emergency source of copper-bearing siliceous flux , had considerable merit , provided high prices for copper continued in effect . Early in 1944 , V. M. Ryan and S. B. Atherley requested assistance from the Bureau in exploring various deposits on their property . The Bureau / drilled 152 holes , aggregating 3,756 feet , on the Petoskey and Mackin groups of claims . This report is based upon churn drilling done under contract from October 7 to November 25 , 1944 .

Feb 1, 1947

By Reinhardt Thiessen

"INTRODUCTION Coal is a complex substance consisting of many different constituents representing many chemical compounds, very few of which are known. It is homo genetic, however, in that it is derived almost entirely from plants. But plants as a whole are complex, being composed of a large number of tissues, each consisting of a large number of cells in a great number of arrangements and composed of a number of chemical compounds in great variety of proportions, and enclosing a large number of waste products representing a large number of' chemical compounds as cell contents. Coal should therefore be expected to be a very complex substance.That coals are formed from plants is no longer debated, but the manner in which coal was formed from the plants leaves many problems still unsolved. However, in general it is now conceded that all coals of all ranks and ages had their origin in deposits completely analogous to our peat deposits of today and that coal formation is a process that runs through the whole series, beginning with peat, and through, the various ranks of lignite, subbituminous, high-, medium-, and low-volatile bituminous, semianthracite, and anthracite in a related chain. In the study of coal, it is therefore of the utmost importance to study and to know not only the plants contributing but .also the manner in which they are transformed into the substances forming the deposits. It is therefore of the greatest value to review briefly the formation of :,eat as it is known today, and to inquire into the facts as to what plants contribute to peat, what parts and products prevail, what are the chemical compounds that enter and which prevail."

Jun 1, 1947

By James L. Fenton

In its unending search for the raw materials that the affluent society of today requires the mining industry has found it necessary to go to great depths, in many cases, to produce these materials. Inherent with this problem is the insufficient technology relating to improving extreme environments that the mine personnel are exposed to. In this dissertation, the sources of heat flow into a mine along with the various effects that this heat has on the mine personnel are investigated. The object of dissertation is to compile all the available published information pertaining to these underground heat and their effects into one paper. This will provide the mining industry with an available easy-to-use to aid in the determination of mine ventilation requirements as the mines are in the phases of original planning or being extended to depth. Areas of significant, deficiencies it knowledge have been disclosed during this overall appraisal. Recommendations on important basic research needs are out lined for future consideration by Federal or industries sponsorship. This thesis should serve as a stimulus lo, future well-organized research efforts in the area of underground heat sources and their control.

Jan 1, 1973

A new series of reports called ?Mineral Perspectives" (MP's) has been initiated by the Bureau of Mines with the publication of MP-1 titled, "Far East and South Asia" by K.P. Wang and the staff of the Bureau of Mines. This new series parallels the creation of the recently announced "Minerals Commodity Profiles" (MCP?s). Both series are designed to provide current information on important sectors of the mineral economy to assist professionals in government, industry, and education in monitoring supply-demand relationships that have significant impact on our domestic economy as well as on the international scene. The orientation of the "Mineral Perspective" series is a geographic one which examines the mineral situation of a region or a country. The "Mineral Commodity Profile? series examines individual mineral commodities. They are in this sense complementary.

Jan 1, 1977