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By Charles R. Harrison

The purpose of this study and resulting development of the training program, "Safety--Let's Make It Happen" was to determine the relation of concepts to the development of desired Health and Safety behavior. After extensive pre-contract study, it was hypothesized that improved acceptance and understanding of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 could possibly contribute to the reduction of accidents. Second, in order for an individual to accept and understand the Act, he or she must have a working knowledge of its purposes and application. Third, acceptance and understanding of the Act, necessary to protect the individual from negligence, was imperative. Fourth, an actual operating company could provide the base in which to test these hypotheses in a meaningful manner and develop this type of training program. Six assumptions were agreed upon before embarking on this study and training program development. (1) In the cognitive process, a concept introduction into an individual's personality may result in a behavior quite different than if he or she had been exposed to a different concept.

Jan 1, 1977

By C. B. Manula

This report is mainly concerned with the modification and development of a users manual for the Open-Pit Materials Handling Simulator (OPMHS) developed at Penn State. Model Modifications included the introduction of a free-format input, the application of a Weibull random generator, facilities to stochastically simulate shovel-dragline operations, and routines to increase the flexibility in making truck assignments. At the same time, core storage requirements and execution times were minimized and all P.S.U. conventions were removed to allow operation on other computing systems.

Jan 1, 1976

Possible consequences of continuing internal political unrest and the imposition of foreign sanctions raise concerns about the traditional reliability of the Republic of South Africa as a major world supplier of important minerals. A recent Bureau of Mines' technical report (Open File Report 76-86) examined the impacts of temporary peacetime disruption scenarios for six key materials and mitigating options. Because of South Africa's dominant producer position for these minerals (except for cobalt), expansion of primary production capacity outside of South Africa is not a short term mitigative option. However, prospects of a longer term disruption would likely spur investment in capacity expansion in alternative Market Economy Country supply sources. This report identifies the resources, production costs, and burdens that would be placed on alternative MEC producers of chromium, cobalt, gold, manganese, and platinum-group minerals if South Africa's production were subject to a long term; disruption. When long term supplies from South African deposits are discounted, more than a few years reserves were found only for cobalt and manganese. Even for these two minerals, higher sustained prices would be required to increase manganese production capacity and to support means of cobalt transportation not through South Africa.

Jan 1, 1986

By Lynn L. Rethi

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report summarizes common obstacles found when attempting to implement health and safety strategies in small mines and small businesses in general industry. Recently, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration focused much of its attention on addressing health and safety issues at small mines. Some of the more innovative interventions practiced by small businesses in general industry are discussed for consideration of their applicability to the mining industry. The most effective intervention strategy that was developed for small businesses is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Consultative Program. The details of this program and other intervention strategies used by small mines and small businesses are presented.

Jan 1, 1995

By Edward F. Redente

Several research projects have been conducted in the western United States to determine the optimum soil replacement thickness for reconstruction of rangeland and cropland. However, the information gained from these studies tends to be site-specific and not broadly applicable. Moreover, the possible interaction between soil thickness and mechanical and fertilizer manipulation of the overburden has not been adequately studied. To meet these information needs, research was initiated at Trapper Mine in northwestern Colorado in 1980 to study vegetation response to soil thicknesses of 15,30,45, and 60 cm and five manipulations that included disking, ripping, and fertilizing. All crops were harvested at peak standing crop and then weighed in the laboratory. Wheat grain yields were highest when soil thickness was 45 cm and the soil and overburden were ripped. Alfalfa yields appeared to be highest when overburden was disked and fertilized and soil was replaced to a thickness of 60 cm. For range vegetation, standing crop biomass was highest when overburden was ripped and soil was replaced to 60 cm thick. However, optimum performance was obtained from the maximum number of species and life forms by disking overburden and replacing 15 cm of soil. The performance of most range plant species has improved over the three years of the study. When the results of this study are compared to the results of other soil thickness studies, we can conclude that selection of management practices should be influenced by local climate, local soil and overburden conditions, type of crop or vegetation to be grown, and specific management goals for that crop or vegetation.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. H. McClain

In the last 3 years' operation of the zirconium-production plant, zirconium metal has been employed to good advantage in many applications. The most frequent use has been in situations requiring resistance to attack by hydrochloric acid. In this service, it has been shown to be a serious competitor to Hastelloy. Zirconium also has excellent resistance to most other corrosives end could be considered for use as an all purpose metal. For example, this report cites 18 applications in hydrochloric acid, 4 applications in sulfuric acid, 5 applications in phthalic-hydrochloric acid, 3 applications in wet hydrogen chloride-chlorine atmospheres, and 2 applications in fused caustic.

Jan 1, 1954

By W. J. Campbell

This report by the Federal Bureau of Mines Particulate Mineralogy Unit recommends mineralogical definitions and identification-characterization concepts for selected silicate minerals and their asbestiform varieties. Precise definitions acceptable to mineral analysts, regulatory personnel, and medical scientists are essential because of the present lack of conformity in terminology concerned with measuring and controlling asbestiform particulates and their related health effects. Because of the complexity and variability of crystal morphology in different mineral groups, the descriptive terms are generally explained by illustration rather than by numerical values. Applications and limitations of several analytical techniques for particulate identification and characterization are discussed.

Jan 1, 1977

By V. R. Miller

The Bureau of Mines investigated methods for testing the tensile and sheer strength of cast specimens of bulk solder and of soldered joints in order to increase the strength and extend the useful temperature range of soft solders. A spread-area test for determining the wettability of solder on copper surfaces was developed. Mannitol was used as a flux in spread tests to control spreading and to avoid plating, etching, and other side effects of regular fluxes. Data on commercial and high-purity solders obtained by these methods show more consistency than those reported by others from similar tests.

Jan 1, 1967

By John K. Alley, Robert C. Johnson

The primary objective of the research was to grow aluminum borate whiskers or fibers and to determine their properties . Molten salt bath and vapor deposition methods were used for synthesis . Whiskers exceeding 25 mm in length were grown . The best results were obtained by vapor deposition and most of the data presented were determined on whiskers produced by this method of synthesis . Three different aluminum borate compositions ( 4.8A1203 B₂03 , 3.8A1203 B203 , and 2.5A120, B203 ) were identified by X- ray and chemical analyses . The aluminum borates 4.8A1203 B20, X- ray diffraction pattern was indexed . Optical data were obtained on the three aluminum borates . In addition the following whisker properties and growth factors were determined : ideal atmospheric dewpoint for vapor deposition method , near 65 ° F ; temperature range of whisker formation , 1,000 ° to 1,400 ° C for the molten bath method of synthesis , > 1,000 ° to < 1,400 ° C for the vapor deposition method ; whisker growth rates by the vapor deposition method , maximum 12 mm per hour ; raw material vaporization , 50 to 60 percent of the fluoride lost in 1 hour ; tensile strength , maximum obtained 174,162 psi ; melting points , ranged from 1,675 ° to 1,795 ° C.

Jan 1, 1965

By M. W. Von Bernewitz, J. J. Forbes

"In the United States there are hundreds of underground and surface (inside and outside) inclines at coal mines on which trips of cars are continually being run with coal, rock, supplies, and men. The safety of the men and prevention of damage to the slopes depend, excluding the personal element of the hoist-man, on the strength and condition of the wire cable, draw bars, and the couplings, and on the links of chains and pins as well. Within a recent period of four weeks there have been two runaway trips, one on the surface and one underground; it seems desirable to call attention of mechanical engineers and others at coal mines to the need for closer and more frequent inspection of the cable, draw bars, coupling links and pins, derailing devices, wheels, brakes, and other parts of cars or trips on which men are hauled on inclines. This bureau has never published anything on this class of accident heretofore.How frequently runaway trips occur is not known. If no serious injury or fatalit has to be reported to the State authorities, a number of such happenings may occur and not be mentioned outside of the immediate vicinity of the mine.Runaway trips can and do result in considerable loss of life, in injuries, and damage, either at or near the place of the break, or throughout a mine by causing an explosion of gas or coal-dust or both, This report is restricted to a study of the mechanical and physical phases of car trip construction and of the metal of couplings and ropes; derailed trips are not included and may be the subject of another paper. There is no need to mention gas accumulations, coal-dust and rock-dusting, open lights, protected power lines, and permissible equipment, because these have all been well covered in Bureau of Mines publications which have been widely distributed and partly or wholly reprinted by others.Most of the items regarding the runaway trips tabulated have been abstracted from reports made respectively by Clarence Hall, W.O. Snelling, and J. W. Paul; D. Harrington and J. J. Forbes; H. C, Howarth and G. S. McCaa; K. L. Marshall and E. H. Denny; J. J. Forbes, G. W.- Grove, and R. D. Currie; S, P .Howell and K. L. Marshall; and .J. W. Paul, H. D. Mason, and G. E. McElroy, all of the mining and safety divisions; and C. H. Herty, jr., and G. R. Fitterer of the metallurgical section of the Bureau of Mines. W. J. Fene, K. L. Marshall, and S. P. Howell of the safety division, and J. F. Lessig, mechanical engineer, and G. St. J. Perrott, superintendent, Pittsburgh Experiment Station, read the text and offered sugges¬tions. W. J. McGregor, coroner for Allegheny County, and P. F. Nairn, State Mine Inspector of Pennsylvania, contributed valuable information."

Mar 1, 1931

By R. S. Dean

In an earlier paper Dean and Hersberger5/ gave preliminary results a d discussed briefly the use in flotation of organic reagents of the type known in the textile industry as "wetting agents.? These reagents are those with a molecular structure comprising a long hydrocarbon chain attached to a. highly molar or hydrophile group in such manner that ionization is nearly complete in dilute solution and the resultant ionic grouping has a very considerable hydrophile-lipophile unbalance in the structure. As a result of this characteristic structure these reagents are more or less powerful frothers and emulsifiers. Ten the degree of bydrophile-lipaphile unbalance is sufficiently great and specific chemical factors are absent these compounds behave in flotation as noncollecting frothers insensitive to reasonable changes of pH.

Jan 1, 1937

By R. S. Dean

In an earlier paper Dean and Hersberger5/ gave preliminary results a d discussed briefly the use in flotation of organic reagents of the type known in the textile industry as "wetting agents.? These reagents are those with a molecular structure comprising a long hydrocarbon chain attached to a. highly molar or hydrorhile group in such manner that ionization is nearly complete in dilute solution and the resultant ionic grouping has a very considerable hydrophile-lipophile unbalance in the structure. As a result of this characteristic structure these reagents are more or less powerful frothers and emulsifiers. Ten the degree of hydrophile-lipaphile unbalance is sufficiently great and specific chemical factors are absent these compounds behave in flotation as noncollecting frothers insensitive to reason¬able changes of pH.

Jan 1, 1937

By Guy B. Taylor, Horace C. Porter, E. C. White

When the Federal investigation of coal - dust explosions in mines was begun in 1908 , following a series of mine explosion disasters in 1907 , mining men generally questioned whether coal dust in air is explosive unless " gas " or methane is present , though perhaps in small amounts not detectable by a safety lamp . The experimental tests beginning in 1909 at the Pittsburgh testing gallery, and after 1911 , at the Experimental mine , demonstrated to the mining public the explosibility of coal dust in itself . There followed much controversy , both among practical mining men and scientists , as to whether the coal-dust particles uni te directly with the oxygen of the air, or whether gas is instantaneously distilled from the dust prior to explosive combustion , the gas enveloping each particle and propagating the flame from one to another . In considering methods of preventing explosions , this question made no difference for practical purposes , but it did have bearing in determining the relative inflammability of dusts of different coals . This led to the experiments by Guy B. Taylor and Horace C. Porter , on the momentary heating of the inflammable coal dusts , reported in this paper . Meanwhile , experiments on the inflammability of coal dust conducted in the Experimental mine , under my direction , and in the laboratory by J. C. W. Frazer and later by J. K. Clement and J. N. Lawrence , showed that different kinds of coal dust differ markedly in inflammability , thus confirming experiments made by Messrs . Taffanel and Durr at the Lievin Testing Station , France , and by various investigators in Great Britain . Both the French and British investigators concluded that their experiments demonstrated the distillation of volatile matter preceding inflammation .

Jan 1, 1922

By Maust. E. J., W. R. Crane

"IntroductionIn the study of mine drainage in the red iron ore mines of the Birmingham district of Alabama, an extensive series of measurements were made in order to determine the drainage from the area overlying and adjacent to the mines. Gaging rods were generally used in measuring streams, and weirs in ditches and sometimes as a check on rod work. These tests in turn were checked by current meter tests. In all, 725 separate stream gagings and 97 weir measurements were made. Certain relationships were worked out, particularly between rod and weir tests, which permitted obtaining results that are much more accurate 'under the existing conditions, than any available formula would give. The large number of weir measurements and the period covered by the tests made it impracticable to construct a weir for each observation so portable, adjustable weirs were built. The methods used are described here for the benefit of those interested in measurement of streams in connection with a study of mine drainage or otherwise. The Drainage AreaThe area draining the mining district lies between the crest of Red Mountain and Little Shades Creek, and for convenience was divided into sub-districts adjacent to certain groups of mines. Gaging stations were established on Little Shades Creek at the upper and lower boundaries of each sub-district, also at points on the tributaries near their junction with the creek. The difference between the volumes of water flowing in Little Shades Creek as it entered and left the sub-districts represents the flow from the tributaries on both sides of the creek. Since the flow coming from the sub-districts was measured direct, the inflow from the tributaries on the opposite side of the creek can be computed from the three volumes determined."

Oct 1, 1926

By R. V. Ramani, K. V. K. Prasad

"Solution of most engineering problems requires, in addition to vast ·numerical calculations, substantial use of practical judgement and expertise. With advances in applied mathematics and computer technology, the numerical aspects of problem solution have reached a considerable level of maturity; However; it is only .recently that approaches like the expert systems methodology have been developed to ·incorporate the Judgemental aspects as well. For rapid development and prototying of expert systems, expert system building tools or ""shells"" have become widely available. For the expert system developer, identification of the key characteristics of the problem domain and selection of the right expert system tool are of crucial importance. In this paper, the important attributes required in an expert system shell for use in the development or a mine ventilation planning expert system are discussed. These attributes are general in that most engineering problems in mining would have these requirements. Also, the results of an exercise undertaken to evaluate commercially available shells for application to mining engineering problems are presented.INRODUCTIONExpert systems (ES) are interactive computer programs which use high quality specialized knowledge in some narrow problem domain to solve complex problems in that domain. These complex problems lack structured and/or standard ways of solution and involve substantial use of subjective and experience based knowledge. One of the first expert systems was MYCIN, developed in 1974, in which subjective and heuristic knowledge of expert physicians was used to diagnose infectious diseases and provide antimicrobial therapy (Buchanan arid Shortliffe, 1984). Since MYCIN, expert systems applications have appeared in other areas such as mineral prospecting (Gaschnig, 1982), configuration of computers (McDermott, 1982) and structural engineering (Bennett and Englemore, 1979)."

Jan 1, 1989

By Gopala N. Krishnan

The most promising candidate for the recovery of alumina from non-bauxitic sources is the leaching of clay by HCL acid followed by crystallization of aluminum chloride hexahydrate (ACH) by hydrogen chloride sparging. Hydrothermal precipitation of boehmite ( ?-A100H) from aluminum chloride solution will simplify the process, will reduce energy consumption and will eliminate corrosion problems involved in calcination of ACH to obtain alumina. This report summarizes the results of Phase I of a program to study the precipitation of boehmite from AlC13 solutions. The amount of boehmite precipitation from dilute A1C13 solutions (5 wt%) is . negligible below 200°C. Above 200°C the precipitation increases with increasing temperature approaching 40% at 300°C. Addition of HCl acid to the dilute A1C13 solution even in small quantities drastically reduces boehmite precipitation. Solution impurities such as Fe, Ca, Mg, or Na substantially promote the precipitation of boehmite. No precipitation is observed from concentrated A1C13 solution (30wt%) representing the leach liquor.

Jan 1, 1980

By H. R. Shell

The work on synthetic mica and related subjects is being reported in a series of technical articles (see Supplementary Bibliography), each of which describes some special aspect of the subject. This is the final report on chemical analysis of the fluoride-containing silicates. A condensation of this report has been published (26).3/ Chemical analysis affords one of the best means of ascertaining the final com-position of either a heterogeneous mass or a single pure crystal, particularly where some constituents may be volatile. The analysis of fluoride-containing silicates was not so well known or understood that highly accurate results were commonplace. For example, on synthetic mica a university laboratory reported 11.6 and 9.2 percent fluoride when at least 13.3 and 11.3 percent were present, respectively; a commercial testing laboratory reported 9.14 percent as compared to 12.6 percent; and a glass company reported 7.0 percent as compared to 9.0 percent present. No intimation is made that these analysts could not have done better, but the point to be stressed is that the methods in use were long, tedious, and generally required a certain familiarity for best results.

Jan 1, 1956

By J. J. de Barbadillo

This report describes a process for recovering chromium and other metals from superalloy scrap. Part I contains the results of laboratory scale experiments which were conducted to test a complex flowsheet utilizing a wide range of extractive metallurgical operations. The novel basis for the process is the formation of a sulfide matte in which chromium is concentrated in a discrete chromium sulfide phase. Mineral processing and hydrometallugical procedures are used to separate chromium sulfide from the other matte constituents. The products of the process are a chromium-nickel alloy suitable for reuse in the superalloy industry, electrolytic nickel, electrolytic cobalt, and an iron-molybdenum residue. Recovery of the principal elements contained in the scrap are chromium(Cr)-93 percent, nickel(Ni)-99 percent, cobalt(Co)-96 percent, molybdenum(Mo)-92 percent. Part II encompasses a preliminary engineering design of a pilot plant capable of treating 100 pounds(lb) of superalloy scrap per hour. Also included is an economic analysis of the operation of the pilot plant.

Jan 1, 1980

Consumption and intensity of use trends for twelve metals, by industrial end use, were estimated for 1972 through 198Z. The trends were then forecast through 1993 using standard statistical methods. The intensity of use measure selected is the quantity of metal consumed per constant dollar output of a specific industrial sector. The metals studied were aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, the platinum-group metals, tin, titanium, tungsten, and zinc. Average annual growth rates for the following four of the twelve metal increased from 1972-82 as follows: aluminum, 1.00 percent; platinum-group metals (consisting of platinum, palladium, and iridium), 8.83 percent; titanium, 7.82 percent; and tungsten, 6.09 percent. Consumption. for the remaining eight metals decreased at average annual rates ranging from 0.58 percent (copper) to 5.37 percent (manganese).

Jan 1, 1986

By D. Harrington

The mining industry of the United States has-long been severely criticized because of its high rate of accident occurrence, net only as compared with other major industries-in the United States but also with the mining industries of other countries particularly Europe. Statistics (often not of strictly comparable nature) indicate that the accident-frequency rate in all mining is currently about three times and the accident-severity rate is about seven times as great as the average for general industrial work in the United States. These figures are by no means comforting to humanitarian mining men, irrespective of their status in. the industry, and they constitute a challenge that certainly cannot continue to be ignored much longer. This picture becomes much darker when the above statistics are augmented with data indicating that. on an exposure basis our mines (more particularly our coal mines) have accident rates two, three, or even more times as great as more or less similar types of mines in Europe, particularly England and Wales, Belgium, France, and Germany. However, these foreign accident statistics should be carefully analyzed before we become very mush concerned about them, because they are clot strictly comparable owing to several considerations, not the least of which is the fact that foreign methods of compiling or recording accident statistics often differ materially from ours. Moreover, foreign mining and other conditions axe definitely dissimilar to ours in many if not most phases, and numerous ether factors affect the comparability of foreign mine-accident statistics with ours. Unquestionably it should also be taken into consideration that the accident rate of the 130,000,000 or more constituting the populace of the United. States as a whole is much higher than that of any other major country in the world and is two, throe, or more times the rate of the European countries that have more favorable mine-accident rates than those of the United States. Moreover, it is significant that the mine-accident-severity- rate of British mines is about six times the average accident-severity rate of the major industries of the British Isles, or but little mere, favorable than the comparable figures in the United States, namely, that mining-has an accident-severity rate about seven times that of the average of about 30 of the major industries of this country.

Jan 1, 1941