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By Roger G. Long

In May 1973, the Bureau of Mines asked Arthur D. Little, Inc. (A DL) to investigate existing industrial communication standards that may be applicable to the problem of developing standards for mine communication, considering that the standards that may ultimately be developed will require simple field procedures for the industry and the inspectorate to determine that communication systems are properly functioning. The emphasis on this study is on telephone communications as related to coal mine applications. B. TASKS The tasks agreed upon for this program were as follows: 1. "Investigate the current practices and existing standards of other industries under government regulation. 2. Determine applicable methods for industry personnel and inspectors to ascertain conformance on-site with minimal test hardware. 3. Review the Bureau's approval, testing and inspection procedure as it may impact the development of such standards. 4. From the above studies investigate the development of installation and performance standards for mine communications, including voice and telemetry. 5. Prepare a written report specifying what standards and field inspection techniques are applicable with recommendations for development of subsequent data and ultimately standards and field inspection techniques. 6. Prepare a written summary of the findings of various investigations with an appendix covering the detailed findings of each investigation. 7. Prepare a list of suggestions of additional assistance the Bureau might require in subsequent phases of developing communication standards and means of ascertaining performance."

Jan 1, 1973

After nine years of negotiations, the U.N. Conference on the Law of the Sea approved a Law of the Sea Treaty text in April. Israel, Turkey, the United States and Venezuela voted against the text and 17 other nations including Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and West Germany abstained. These nations still have the option of joining the treaty when it is opened for signing in December. However, the Reagan Administration has stated that several provisions of the deep seabed mining portion of the text are unacceptable and it seems unlikely that the United States, at least, will change its position. ALUMINUM Reynolds Metals Co. has criticized an Oregon state plan to relax air pollution standards for aluminum plants. The company feels that relaxation of the rules does not go far enough. Reynolds officials say that they have spent about $31 million at their Troutdale plant for state-of-the-art pollution control equipment, and if they are required to make the pollution reductions called for in the 1986 rules, Reynolds would be forced to close the 40-year-old plant.

Jan 1, 1982

By Jacqueline V. Rich

The relationship between surface and ground water quality and copper mining in the Globe-Miami area is investigated in this three-year study. Methods to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or treat polluted waters are identified and evaluated. Best Management Practices are incorporated in a recommended plan to manage the area's water quality.

Jan 1, 1983

By Oliver Bowles

The various Latin American countries are undergoing a slow process of industrialization. The harvesting of one or two agricultural commodities or the mining of a few marketable minerals is being supplemented by development of an Integrated industrial economy. In many countries, progress in this direction has not been rapid, but as it gains impetus an increasing market for cement is a natural consequence. This is evident from the fact that industrialization is linked with increasing transportation, and means of transportation are very poor in much of Latin America. Bridges, culverts, and concrete Highway's, now scattered sparingly throughout the vast land areas south of the United States, must multiply as the demands of industry increase and as a higher scale of living is attained. Eventually the South American countries will be linked by modern highways. Furthermore, the arid climate of many regions creates a demand for construction of dams and irrigation works, and a continent poor in coal reserves but with abundant water power inevitably must direct its energies toward the construction of hydroelectric power plants. Countries rich in raw materials but with few natural harbors have urgent need of massive concrete breakwaters and docks. The demand for concrete in houses will also grow. Standards of living are low, and perishable building materials are widely used. As living conditions improve cement will be used increasingly in home construction. Even in the field of simple and modest housing cement affords a means of creating low-priced verminproof and fireproof homes, for which the need it imperative under climatic conditions that prevail in this area of the world. Already many of the countries have undertaken extensive public works, and such programs are likely to increase. Assuming moderate industrial progress and stabilized governments the demand for cement in this great southern area promises substantial growth.

Jan 1, 1940

By R. S. Dean

The work of the metallurgical fundamentals section during the past year, representing active experimental investigation or thermodynamic study, may be summarized as the following problem subjects: 1. Low-temperature specific-heat investigations. 2. Development of a method of concentrating gases. 3. Thermodynamic properties of metallic carbides and nitrides, 4. Production of pure chromium from chromium chlorides. 5. Thermodynamic properties of the hydrates of calcium, sulphate. While this list is not identical, with officially designated problems, due to overlapping of subjects and to new developments within specified problems, presentation upon the basis of this subdivision will best serve to review the work of the section.

Jan 1, 1937

By Jennifer A. Slatnick

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), once universally accepted as ideal compounds for use in cooling and refrigeration, in foam production, and in cleaning electronic components, are being phased out and eventually banned under extensive international agreements because the chlorine in CFC's is thought to deplete the Earth's ozone layer. The industry has responded with the introduction of alternatives in the form of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's), which contain no chlorine, and with hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC's), which fill an intermediate gap in the replacement of CFC's. As a result of the elimination of chlorine in the HFC's and the reduction of it in the HCFC's, these alternatives contain more fluorine than the CFC's do. Other nonfluorocarbon substitutes, known as not-in-kind alternatives, contain no fluorine at all. As a result, the fluorspar mining industry, which is the source of fluorine in fluorocarbons through intermediate hydrofluoric acid, is being affected. Concern for this impact has led the U.S. Bureau of Mines to employ its capabilities to analyze various scenarios in the evolution of CFC replacements and substitutes to determine their effect on fluorspar mining. This report utilizes a network flow model to examine the effects of proposed replacements for CFC's, in terms of fluorine content, on fluorspar operations worldwide and on hydrofluoric acid plants in North America and Europe.

Jan 1, 1994

By M. R. Geer

This report presents the results of washability examinations of seven coals from the principal coal-producing fields of Montana. A complete performance test of the Baum-type jig operated at one of the mines is included, as are the results of cleaning tests made on two of the coals in a dense-medium pilot plant. The coals examined from the Red Lodge, Bull Mountain, and Forsyth fields are comparatively easy to clean. Ash contents of 5 to 10 percent can be obtained at yields of washed coal ranging from 90 to 95 percent. The coal from the Great Falls field, however, could not be cleaned readily to less than 14 percent ash, and the rejection of impurity would amount to over 25 percent. The two coals treated in the dense-medium pilot plant were characterized by sharp separation of impurity, high recovery efficiency, and satisfactory reduction in ash content.

Jan 1, 1955

By Mark S. Sanders

This report is a review and synthesis of the published literature dealing with personal equipment items used by low seam coal miners. This report reviews the following items of equipment: headgear, outer garments, respirators, cap lamp, gloves, knee pads, footwear, boots, helmets, ear protection, eye protection. Recommendations for further research and development are included.

Jan 1, 1978

By M. R. Geer

The Bureau of Mines surveyed the solid wastes that have accumulated from coal mining in Washington, Oregon, and Montana. Location, amount, character, and condition were determined, and both economic and environmental factors were considered. Areas covered by waste comprise 800 acres in Washington, 5 acres in Oregon, and 1,200 acres in Montana. In a few cases waste is being utilized, particularly cinder from burned refuse dumps, as fill in road construction and as a ceramic raw material. It is estimated that wastes deriving from coal mined for electric power generation by 1974 may amount to 3 million tons of washery refuse, 2.7 million tons of fly ash, and 1,000 acres of spoil banks.

Jan 1, 1969

By R. E. Chaney

This report summarizes the research on the Strategic and Critical Materials Program tasks conducted at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) between Mdy 1983 and April 1984. The work is divided into two areas: 1. Production Technologies - Tasks directed at developing advanced extraction technologies ? Biologically-Assisted Minerals Processing ? Metal/Gas Reactions and Thermal Plasmas ? Dehydration of Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate. 2. Conservation/Substitution Technologies - Tasks directed toward establishing the technical processing base which will permit the use of advanced materials ? Joining of Rapidly Solidified Alloys (RSA) ? Joining of Silicon Nitride-Based Ceramics ? Nondestructive Evaluation of Ceramic and RSA Joints and Materials.

Jan 1, 1984

By William N. Hale

This Bureau of Mines report gives a detailed study of water usage in the Montana mineral industries, along with projections for the future. The mineral industry of Montana in 1963 used 36.5 billion gallons of new water, and reused or recirculated an additional 53.5 billion gallons for a total water requirement or usage of 90 billion gallons. The petroleum industry was the major water user, followed by the copper and zinc industries. Many mineral industry operators provide their own water, and new water is withdrawn largely from surface sources. At present, sufficient water is available in rivers, streams, and reservoirs in Montana; however, shortages do exist locally near mineral industry operations using large quantities of water. Some is supplied from sources up to 44 miles distant. New water withdrawn by the State of Montana mineral industry is expected to increase from 36.5 billion gallons in 1963 to 51.1 billion gallons by the year 2000. The total-water requirement is expected to more than double, or reach 182 billion gallons by the year 2000.

Jan 1, 1966

By William N. Hale

This Bureau of Mines report gives a detailed study of water usage in the Montana mineral industries, along with projections for the future. The mineral industry of Montana in 1963 used 36.5 billion gallons of new water, and reused or recirculated an additional 53.5 billion gallons for a total water requirement or usage of 90 billion gallons. The petroleum industry was the major water user, followed by the copper and zinc industries. Many mineral industry operators provide their own water, and new water is withdrawn largely from surface sources. At present, sufficient water is available in rivers, streams, and reservoirs in Montana; however, shortages do exist locally near mineral industry operations using large quantities of water. Some is supplied from sources up to 44 miles distant. New water withdrawn by the State of Montana mineral industry is expected to increase from 36.5 billion gallons in 1963 to 51.1 billion gallons by the year 2000. The total-water requirement is expected to more than double, or reach 182 billion gallons by the year 2000.

Jan 1, 1966

By C. G. Maier

The fundamental chemistry of zinc smelting, especially that part dealing with the chemical reduction of the zinc-oxide content of a roasted zinc ore, has been discussed by metallurgists in some detail, but, in the light of present knowledge, unsatisfactorily. A considerable portion of the information available has been qualitative, or quantitative in a sense that could not be interpreted chemically. A number of attempts to elucidate the physical chemistry of zinc oxide reduction have been based upon unsubstantiated and, as is now known, incorrect equilibrium data. To write upon the chemistry of zinc smelting at this time, when electrolytic methods for the production of zinc metal from ore are becoming increasingly widespread, may seem a belated effort. So, for example, C. A. Hansen,3 in the communicated discussion of an article by the author,4 writes as follows:

Jan 1, 1930

1. BOYD, JAMES. Statement on the Investigation of Natural Resources. Hearings before National Re-sources Economic Subcommittee, Committee on Public Lands, U.S. Senate, 80th Cong., 1st sess., on Investigation of the Factors Affecting Minerals, Fuels, Forestry, and Reclamation Projects, May 15, 16, and 20, 1947, pp. 125-131. 2. BUCH, J. W., HENDRICKS, T. A., AND TOENGES, A. L. Statement on the Investigation of Natural Resources. Hearings before National Resources Economic Sub-committee, Committee on Public Lands, U.S. Senate, 80th Cong., 1st sess., on Investigation of the Factors Affecting Minerals, Fuels, Forestry, and Reclamation Projects, May 15, 16, and 20, 1947, pp. 231-235. 3. CONGRESS, U.S. An Act to Provide for the Establishment and Operation of a Research Laboratory in the Pennsylvania Anthracite Region for Investigation of the Mining, Preparation, and Utilization of Anthracite, for the Development of New Uses and Markets, for Improvement of Health and Safety in Mining, and for a Comprehensive Study of the Region to Aid in the Solution of Its Economic Problems and to Make Its Natural and Human Resources of Maxi-mum Usefulness in the War Effort. Public, No. 812, 77th Cong., 2d sess. (S-357), ch. 764, approved Dec. IS, 1942, 2 pp.

Jan 1, 1962

By W. E. Young, D. T. Delicate

This study was made to present the mining methods and costs of a uranium mine typical of other mines in the highly productive Westwater Canyon member of the Morrison formation in New Mexico. Four mining methods have been used at the Section 23 mine: the retreat- room-and-pillar method, a sublevel-slicing method (also called top-slicing), the horizontal-cut-and-fill method, and a modification of the ring-drill method. The application of the methods at this mine and at other mines in the area should be of benefit to operators with similar problems. Ore bodies in the Section 23 mine are irregularly shaped and vary in size, in rock strength, in moisture content, and in uranium concentrations; different mining methods are required and mining costs are not constant. A 6-month period of operation at the Section 23 mine was analyzed and mining costs, not including amortization, depreciation, or Federal taxes, averaged about $6.80 per ton.

Nov 1, 1963

1. Domestic Production and Use: In 1982, 13 companies operated 30 primary aluminum reduction plants, with 3 firms accounting for 55% of production. Washington, Oregon, and Montana accounted for 34% of the production; Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Arkansas 18%; Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina 14%; other central and eastern States 34%. Based on published producer prices, output of primary metal in 1982 was valued at over $5.5 billion. Aluminum consumption by 25,000 firms was centered in the East Central United States. Packaging accounted for an estimated 39% of domestic consumption in 1982, transportation 20%, building 14%, electrical 8%, consumer durables 8%, and other uses 11%.

Jan 1, 1983

This Bureau of Mines report and its companion report (Information Circular 9143) have been prepared to assist in the preparation of prefeasibility type estimates for capital and operating costs of mining of various types of mineral occurrences using current technology. The handbook provides a convenient costing procedure based on the summation of the casts for the unit processes required in any particular mining or mineral processing operation. The costing handbook consists of a series of costing sections, each corresponding to a specific mining unit process. Contained within each section is the methodology to estimate either the capital or operating cost for that unit process. The unit process sections may be used to generate, in January 1984 dollars, costs through the use of either costing curves or formulae representing the prevailing technology. Coverage for surface mining includes dredging, quarrying, strip mining, and open pit mining. The underground mining includes individual development sections for drifting, raising, shaft sinking, stope development, various mining methods, underground mine haulage, general plant, and underground mine administrative cost. This system can be used for estimating cost data for an undeveloped deposit or for checking or verifying mining costs from a developed deposit, with a minimum amount of background information.

Jan 1, 1987

"A bed, British Columbia, Canada, coal, carbonizingproperties B 510Pa., coal, washing characteristics RI 4941A' bed, Pa., coal, washing characteristics RI 4834"

Jan 1, 1960

By Henry H. Ginsberg

The effectiveness of 0.01 pct. molybdenum, as ammonium molybdate impregnated on coal, on the hydrogenation of a high-volatile bituminous C coal at 8,000 p.s.i.g. and 460° to 480° C. has been studied in a pilot plant by the Federal Bureau of Mines. Under these conditions, the Bureau obtained 98 to 99 pct. conversion5/ of coal to liquids and gases at throughputs of 29 to 101 lb. of m.a.f. coal per cubic foot of reaction space per hour. At 460° C. the indicated yield of oil ranged from 63 pct. (based on m.a.f. coal) at a throughput of 35 lb./c.f.h. (pounds per cubic foot per hour) to 68.5 pct. at a throughput of 58 lb./c.f.h., and the yield of gaseous hydro-carbons ranged from 25.5 to 19 pct. at the same throughputs. The maximum measured yield of oil boiling under 325° C. was 47 pct.

Jan 1, 1960

The first metal-mine accident-prevention course was prepared and published in 1942-45 as a series of seven miners' circulars (Nos. 51-57). The scope of the course has been broadened, revised, and brought up to date and is being published as a similar series of seven miners' circulars (Nos. 51-57, revised) on accident prevention in metal and nonmetallic mines. These circulars are: Accident Statistics (Miners' Circular 51), dealing with general statistics on accidents and injuries at metal and nonmetallic mines, including causes, costs, and the use of investigations and reports of all accidents.

Jan 1, 1957