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By John B. Goodman

A LOW-TEMPERATURE carbonization assay test is described, and factual data derived from this test are presented. The test procedure outlined in this report incorporates a mild-steel retort of improved design, an accurately controlled method of heating, and a complete collection and condensation system for the solid, liquid, and gaseous products of carbonization. The test described establishes, under closely controlled conditions, the relationship of temperature to yields of products on carbonization. Noncoking or weakly coking coals and other carbonaceous material are particularly amenable to testing by the assay. Mass balances of 100 percent± 0.3 are obtainable by this test. It is believed that the efficiency of the test and the accuracy of the type data obtained have been materially increased.

Jan 1, 1953

By Oliver Bowles

[Simple systematic accounting that adequately records all transactions has long been regarded as essential to the welfare of any business enterprise. Some of the defects that detract from the prosperity of the slate industry are attributable to a lack of effectiveness in cost keeping. This condition has promoted the United States Bureau of Mines to make a detailed study of accounting methods for the slate industry, and to present for consideration a system of accounts, which it is believe would enable the industry to attain more economical management and operation if accepted by a fair proportion of its important units. The method of accounting presented herein has been worked out with the assistance of leading slate producers and the recommendations are tentative and are submitted in this form as a means of developing constructive criticism. Believing that cooperative effort in this, as in many ether problems will bring the most enduring benefits to the industry as a whole, the writer urges that the cost earnest consideration be given to this vital problem now facing the slate industry.]

Jan 1, 1929

By Richard A. Allwes

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report presents the results of structural analyses and full-scale physical tests conducted on a steel-set arch and tri-set. The purpose of the analyses and tests was to evaluate the suitability of these structures for use in roof-fall prone areas. The arch canopy test and design procedures previously developed by the Bureau were utilized in this evaluation. Theoretical resistance functions were established for the steel-set arch and tri-set and were representative of the experimental behavior of the structures. The resistance functions were used to determine the energy absorption capacity of the structures and to predict their dynamic response to impact loading. The dynamic tests demonstrated that the arch canopy design procedure is appropriate for tri-sets and yields conservative designs for both steel-set arches and tri-sets. As a result of this work, it is recommended that these two structures may be considered for use in roof-fall prone areas and for rehabilitation work, provided the arch canopy design procedure is utilized for each application and the principles underlying the design procedure are understood.

Jan 1, 2010

By Sidney Katell

This report covers the period January 1962 through December 1962; it is a continuation of the series that began with the publication of Information Circular 7516 in October 1949. Also, it is the fourth in a series of reports prepared under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Mines and the American Association of Cost Engineers. The agreement provides for the publication of an annual cost bibliography with the work load evolved in the preparation shared equally. Tile abstracted articles, concerned with all facets of cost engineering in the field of chemical and petroleum plants and related subjects, are from tile following sources:

Jan 1, 1963

By Sidney Katell

This report covers the period January 1962 through December 1962; it is a continuation of the series that began with the publication of Information Circular 7510 in October 1949. Also, it is the fourth in a series of reports prepared under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Mines and the American Association of Cost Engineers. The agreement provides for the publication of an annual cost bibliography with the work load evolved in the preparation shared equally. The abstracted articles, concerned with all facets of cost engineering in the field of chemical and petroleum plants and related subjects, are from tile following sources: 1. American Association of Cost Engineers Bulletin. 2. Bureau of Mines Information Circulars. 3. Bureau of Mines Reports of Investigations. 4. Chemical Engineering. 5. Chemical Engineering Progress. 6. Chemical Week. 7. Coal Age. 8. Coal Utilization. 9. Cost Engineering. 10. Hydrocarbon Processing and Petroleum Refiner. 11. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 12. Nucleonics. 13. Oil and Gas Journal. 14. Petroleum Management. 15. World Oil.

Jan 1, 1963

By Henry Kreisinger, WALTER T. RAY

In its investigation of more efficient methods for utilizing the coals and lignites in the United States, to the end that waste might be avoided, the value of low-grade coals increased, and the life of the nation's fuel resources prolonged, the technologic branch of the United States Geological Survey carried on a study of the factors involved in the manufacture and use of briquets, including the suitability of various coals for briquetting, the cheapest and most satisfactory binders, and the furnace behavior and evaporative efficiency of briquetted fuel. The investigations had their beginning in the work done at the coaltesting plant at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, Mo., in 1904, and were continued at St. Louis and later at Norfolk, Va. Accounts of various tests and statements of the conclusions to be drawn from them have appeared in a number of bulletins. a In connection with the work at Norfolk, comparative steaming tests were made in stationary, marine, and locomotive boilers with run-ofmine coal and the same coal formed into briquets of two sizes. The tests in a locomotive boiler that are described in detail in this bulletin were undertaken to add cumulative evidence to work done at other places. They were made possible through the courtesy of the Seaboard Air Line Railway Company in supplying both the locomotive and the coal used. During the trials the locomotive stood on a side track in the shop yards of the railway company at Portsmonth, Va. No running tests were made.

Jan 1, 1911

By Donald W. Mitchell, John Nagy

Observations made on coking of coal, deposition of soot, dust transport, flame, violence, and related phenomena following experimental coal-dust explosions are summarized. Data are given on gas explosion pressure, flame length, flame velocity, and variation of these parameters with concentration. Conclusions from these observations are useful in preventing similar occurrences in operating mines and serve as a guide in improving safety.

Dec 1, 1963

Although the mining industry has achieved record-low fatalities and injuries for each of the last three years, there are still too many miners injured or killed in this nation ís mining operations. Many mining injuries or deaths might have been prevented by using risk assessment to identify and control or eliminate the hazards associated with a task. To focus attention on the importance of conducting risk assessments in keeping mining workplaces safe and healthful, MSHA introduced this initiative on October 12, 2004. This initiative is called SLAM. SLAM is an acronym for Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage. The steps involved in SLAM are: Stop ñ stop and consider the work involved Look ñ look for and identify the hazards Analyze ñ analyze what needs to be done Manage ñ manage safety by developing and implementing controls Everyone should be aware of the risks of an accident before beginning a task. It may not always be obvious that performing a seemingly routine task could result in an accident. That is why conducting a risk assessment is so important. Itís important to remember that over time a mining workplace seldom remains unchanged. Risks must be assessed whenever procedures or processes change, whenever new tasks are started, or non-routine tasks are performed.

Jan 1, 2005

The Black Hills Mineral Atlas briefly summarizes all pertinent date available on the mines and mineral deposits in the Black Hills that have been explored, developed, mined, or located. The purpose of the atlas is threefold: First, from available date the general potentialities of the Black Hills region can be determined, although it is not possible to calculate actual ore reserves; second, it will provide the necessary basic information regarding a given property or commodity for further detailed study; and third, the compilation is a comprehensive directory of Black Hills deposits.

Jan 1, 1954

A symposium on pneumatic transportation of solids was held at Morgantown, W. Va., October 19-20, 196'), under the cosponsorship of the Institute ref Gas Technology. Chicago, Ill., and the Bureau of Mines. Objective of the symposium was to present information on developments and projected programs in the technology of feeding, transporting, recompressing, and utilizing gas-solids mixtures Dr. Henry R. Linden, Director, Institute of Gas Technology and Harry Perry, Director of Coal Research, Bureau of Mines, in the initial addresses at the symposium welcomed more than 140 representatives of industry, educational institutions, and government from 16 states, Canada, Great Britain, etc.

Jan 1, 1966

By C. M. Harrer

The location, features, qualities, and extent of iron occurrences and the associated resources--limestone and dolomite, bentonite, coal-lignite, petroleum and natural gas, power, and water--are evaluated. The results of pioneer beneficiation tests on South Dakota taconite are discussed. In addition, pertinent features of taconite development, cost factors, the Western and Central United States trade area and markets are reported. The State's production of iron ores until 1963 has been small and for purposes other than the manufacture of iron. This investigation disclosed the probability of large resources of taconite in Pennington and Lawrence Counties. The average iron content is 29 percent, and a 65-percent or better iron concentrate might be produced. Ample resources are available for mining and processing taconite. An investment of at least $26 million would be required for a plant capable of turning out 1 million tons of agglomerated iron concentrate per year. The feasibility of such an enterprise is indicated, but intensive investigation and research must be completed to justify such an investment.

Jan 1, 1966

A symposium on pneumatic transportation of solids was held at Morgantown, W. Va., October 19-20, 1965, under the cosponsorship of the Institute ref Gas Technology. Chicago, Ill., and the Bureau of Mines. Objective of the symposium was to present information on developments and projected programs in the technology of feeding, transporting, recompressing, and utilizing gas-solids mixtures. Dr. Henry R. Linden, Director, Institute of Gas Technology, and Harry Perry, Director of Coal Research, Bureau of Mines, in the initial addresses at the symposium welcomed more than 140 representatives of industry, educational institutions, and government from 16 states, Canada, Great Britain, etc.

Jan 1, 1966

The United States has not begun commercial operations to tap its largest poten-tial sources of oil supply - oil shale and coal. The reason is that domestic petrol-eum has been plentiful in the past and liquid products probably could be produced from it at the lowest cost. In view of the ever-increasing need for petroleum in the United States, the critical international situation threatening foreign supplies, the growing demands for steel, and the heavy costs to industry of constantly discovering and developing new oil fields, it is believed that the prompt development of a synthetic fuel industry based on oil shale and coal is not only requisite to safeguard our oil supply but is an economically sound course for the foreseeable future. To neglect its development is to close our eyes and minds to our own resources at a time when they are needed critically. It also is apparent now that neither the Government nor industry would be taking any considerable economic risk in starting the initial plants, especially as measured against their potential value in meeting critical oil and chemical demands and in building a new industry in the West.

Jan 1, 1951

By K. E. Robinson

Appendix A is an abridged extract of the report prepared by the Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Society of Idaho, and presents the results of their one-year study to evaluate the feasibility of disposing mill tailings by landfill construction. Appendix B describes the field and laboratory testing program completed by RDM to assess the effectiveness of a soil (slimes) liner as a means of seepage control to reduce the introduction of contaminants into the local ground water regime. Appendix C presents a summary of a thesis by Lawrence Martin on the analysis of the acid production potential of mill tailings, and the results of geotechnical testing of mill tailings completed by ROM. Appendix D describes potential landfill sites identified within the study area, the development of these sites to meet the present needs of the mining industry and the future requirements of the community is described. Appendix E summarizes the main legislation impacting on tailings disposal. Appendix F discusses the environmental and socio-economic factors that should be considered.

Jan 1, 1981

By Robert S. Schechter

A minitest, consisting of an injection/production well and at least two observation wells designed to detect the arrival of injected fluid leached minerals, and nonideal flow, is considered in this report. The test goals are to determine the susceptibility of the host formation to uranium leaching, kinetic parameters to scale the process, and to facilitate site restoration. This report considers permeability and mineral heterogeneities and other oxidant-competing minerals. To circumvent these nonidealities, which obscure the results, methods of interpretation have been proposed and tested by a computer simulator. In complex cases, clear-cut methods of interpretation were not found; but in every case the design of a test most susceptible to interpretation has been considered. The minitest is operationally simple and can be completed in a short time. With the correct design and interpretation it can return information to evaluate economics, ensure satisfactory leachate performance, scale to larger operations, and to identify restoration problems.

Jan 1, 1983

By H. P. Greenwald, Irving Hartman, H. C. Howarth

"INTRODUCTION A report of tests of seven small pillars formed from the Pittsburgh coal bed in the Experimental coal mine was given in Technical Paper 605 5/ Five additional pillars were tested between July 1939 and. October 1940. The data obtained, in the later tests permit an extension of the conclusions reached in Technical Paper 605, which appears to be important enough to the mining industry to justify a progress report that will explain briefly what it is and how it was obtained. Full detail of the tests will appear in a second technical paper, preparation of which is deferred so that results of pillar tests now under way my be included.DESCRIPTION OF TESTSExcept for minor improvements in operating details, the five additional tests were made as described in Technical Paper 605, pages 2 to 7. Briefly, the desired pillar was formed from the coal bed, by excavating a passage around it (no explosives were used), and enough material was removed from above to permit installation of the assembly used for applying pressure. Each pillar was tested resting on its original fireclay floor, which was restrained from lateral flow by a ring of concrete. Vertical and lateral movement of the pillars in two directions as measured carefully in all tests."

Jun 1, 1941

By Lloyd Williams, R. E. Hershey, B. W. Gandrud

"1. The investigation shows that the Sewanee bed is the only bed of major importance in Marion County, 97 percent of the coal mined in the county having come :from this bed. There are coal reserves in minor quantity in the Battle Creek bed, and production from this bed depends on a few small truck mines. The Richland bed, or Lower Sevanee has been mined in the past, but no coal has been produced from it in late years. There are no production records of any other beds in the county, although some coal has been produced from them.2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and on l,800 tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated to be 61 million short tons as of January 1, 1953. Of this total, 55 million short tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed ·were omitted from the estimate where available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager to permit making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.3. Recoverable reserves of coal are estimated in beds 28 inches and more 'thick. This recovery is based on total thickness of coal in the bed (less partings 3/8-inch thick or more), rather than on the thickness of the coal actually mined. This thickness is about the minimum now being mined by hand loading onto conveyors in the Appalachian Region. The combined weighted average recovery for the Sewanee and Battle Creek beds in Marion County, as determined by this investigation, is 60.9 percent. Based on this, the recoverable reserves of coal in Marion County are estimated at 34 million tons."

Oct 1, 1955

By Thomas J. Peters

In 1978, the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the U.S. Geological Survey completed a joint mineral survey of the Chemise Mountain and King Range study areas as mandated by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1916, Public Law 94-579. The U.S. Bureau of Mines examined all identified mineral prospects and deposits; the results of these examinations are included in this report. The U.S. Geological Survey studied the regional geology, geochemistry, and geophysics; the results of these studies are available in USGS Map MF-1196. No mineral resources were identified in either the Chemise Mountain or King Range study areas; however, a high-grade silver and base-metal occurrence, and minor manganese resources were identified in between the two study areas, within the King Range Conservation Area. The only mining activity in either area was a placer gold prospect on Honeydew creek in the northeastern part of the King Range study area. Three samples from this prospect contained no gold. The Chemise Mountain and King Range study areas are in a mountainous region along the coast of northern California, 230 road miles north of San Francisco, and 70 miles south of Eureka by way of U.S. Highway 101, through Garberville and Redway. The Chemise Mountain study area consists of 3,941 acres; it includes the 2,598-ft Chemise Mountain, and the cliff-lined seacoast southeast of Shelter Cove. a resort and fishing village. The King Range study area consists of 39.764 acres northwest of Shelter Cove, and includes the northwest-trending King Range with elevations above 4,000 ft. The Chemise and King Range study areas are underlain by deep-water marine sandstones, shales, and minor pillow basalts of the Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary Franciscan Subduction Complex. Mineral production was 1,650 tons of manganese ore within a manganiferous bed overlying pillow basalt at the Queen Peak mine southeast of the King Range study area. However, no significant manganese resources were found in the Queen Peak area. The Point Delgada area, directly south of the King Range study area, has prospects with high grade copper, lead. silver, and zinc. Exposures are inadequate to estimate resources; however, the metals may be associated with Franciscan volcanism (volcanogenic). The Chemise and King Range study areas may contain similar economic silver-rich, base-metal deposits.

Jan 1, 1992

By L. N. Plein, J. W. Paul

"The United States Bureau of Mines, in the interest of the prevention of injuries and fatalities in coal mines, has engaged in a study of the circumstances and conditions under which falls of roof and coal contribute to coal-mine accidents, and this publication is devoted to the result of a study conducted in mince developed in the Pittsburgh or No. 8 coal in eastern Ohio.To emphasize the need of this study a statement of the fatalities which have resulted from falls of roof is presented, followed by a brief description of the field and its geology. The mining methods, regulations, and timbering practices are presented and discuss, as well as supervision and discipline, all of which are important factors in the control of the roof and the prevention of falls of roof material that are liable to result in injury to the underground workmen.During the five-year period, 1924 to 1928, there were 10,820 fatalities in the cool mines of the United States, of which number 5,573 or 51.5 per cent resulted from fells of roof material, such as draw slate or roof coal, and of coal from the fact or sides. These fatalities generally occur singly, consequently they are given little publicity compared with major disasters consulting from explosions which, during the same five-year period, amounted to only 17.8 per cent of the total fatalities.Seven,mines in eastern Ohio, each typical, of mines in its locality, have been carefully studied, and the result of this study is herein presented so the information may be and beneficial to all who may be operating mines having,similar natural or physical conditions.In general, it will be found that measures taken to prevent injuries or fatalities from falls of roof as well as other safety measures, will have the effect of increasing the efficiency and economy in mining operation. The result of the study so far made on the falls of roof problem indicates that such features as mine management, supervision, inspection, discipline, character of roof, timbering methods, and blasting have a direct bearing on any scheme that may be evolved to prevent injury or loss of life by falls of roof."

Mar 1, 1931

By C. V. Jude

This U. S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) report presents results of stress analyses and field observations to investigate the effects of elevated trench drifts on the structural stability of rock mass zones surrounding a production draw drift in a mine utilizing a mechanized load-haul-dump (LHD) trench undercut panel caving system. A two-dimensional boundary-element mine stress model was developed to predict the locations and extent of damaged rock mass zones surrounding draw drifts where adjacent, parallel trench drifts are either elevated or not elevated above the LHD production draw drift level. A Mohr-Coulomb shear-failure criterion was obtained directly from in situ borehole shear test data. Hock-Brown shear-failure parameter values were computed from borehole-shear and triaxial test data. A procedure is described to estimate these parameters when a rock mass rating (RMR) value and triaxial data on intact samples exist, and no borehole shear test data exist Results indicate that trench drifts, elevated to the level equal to the height of the LHD production draw drift, would not minimize material damage nor significantly enhance the stability of rib and crown pillar zones surrounding production draw drifts in the mechanized LHD trench undercut caving panel investigated at this mine.

Jan 1, 2010