Search Documents

By Oliver C. Ralston, Dorsey A. Lyon

The data reported in this bulletin are largely the result of experiments conducted by the Salt Lake City station of the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the department of metallurgical research of the University of Utah. The work on lead is only one of the phases of the investigations carried on at that station during the years 1914 to 1916. The results of similar work with zinc ores and with copper and other ores will be published in future reports of the bureau.

Jan 1, 1918

Case studies from four western states are used to illustrate the impact of the environmental compliance process on the mining industry. The case studies were not chosen as a statistically significant sample of all mining operations in the western United States but were chosen as representative of operations on both public and private lands and in locations that exhibited varying degrees of involvement by governmental units, non-governmental organizations and the general public. Basically, each case study was chosen because some aspect of their environmental compliance process helped to illustrate an interesting point in the regulatory process. The criteria used to select the case studies were: mines located in different jurisdictional areas, mines located in varying geological areas~ mines located in areas having different historical relationships with mining: and operations that are in production as well as those seeking an operating permit. The variety of such projects should provide the necessary foundation to evaluate the impacts of the environmental compliance process in each location.

Jan 1, 1994

By E. P. Youngman

The rapidly growing demand for titanium pigments has aroused new interest in actual and potential sources of supply of titanium- bearing ores , which only a comparatively few years ago were almost unmarketable . This paper , which supplements a general circular entitled " Titanium" ( Information Circular 6365 ) , represents a summary of current trade literature and Government reports , together with some hitherto unpublished material that has accumulated in the files of the Bureau of Mines . The purpose of this pamphlet is simply to indicate the commercial possibilities of the deposits , and the discussion is confined almost entirely to the three commercial ores , ilmenite , rutile , and magnetite ( titaniferous iron ore ) .

Oct 1, 1930

By R. V. Higgins

The results of two separate but related studies are given. In the first study, four equations were tested; the object was to determine which would produce a curve that would best fit data points that represent a trend of declining oil production in 90 California fields. Two conventional equations (the Arps and semilog) and two novel equations (extreme-c and double semilog) were tested. The curves were first fitted to the initial 9 years of the 15-year production data and then extrapolated for 6 years to determine how well the extrapolated curve would fit the data points. The generated curves were also extrapolated beyond the last data point to predict rates of future production. The results of the first study showed that no equation was clearly superior to the others in all respects. The semilog equation resulted in the best fit to production data for the first 9 years, but the Arps and extreme-c equations produced a better fit for the extrapolated data for the period of 9 to 15 years. The Arps and extreme-c also gave more realistic production rates when extended to the point where cumulative production equaled reserves. A second study was made to determine if the least-squares technique applied to the Arps equation would result in more accurate extrapolations. The merits of the logarithmic and the nonlogarithmic forms of the Arps hyperbolic equation were also tested. For the logarithmic expression, it was found that one of the constants of the Arps equation reached a value so small or so large that the equation was not applicable to the data of 40 of the 90 California fields. The nonlogarithmic form of the Arps equation was applicable to neither the same 40 fields nor to a few additional ones. When the data and the Arps equation were compatible, the use of the least-squares technique as compared with other methods improved the extrapolation accuracy somewhat.

Jan 1, 1971

The Bureau of Mines is responsible for a broad spectrum of programs for meeting the diverse and changing mineral resource needs of the Nation. These programs are managed by the Director and two Deputy Directors, who formulate general policy and program direction from the Washington, D.C., headquarters. A senior advisory staff, consisting of the Chief Staff Officer, Chief Scientist, and Chief Mining Engineer, provides advice and consultation to the Director on a wide range of scientific and technical matters and acts on behalf of the Director to maintain liaisons with other government agencies, mineral industries, and professional societies. Bureau program activities are classified into two major functions: (1) Developing new and improved technology that will make the production and processing of minerals more efficient, safer and more healthful for mineral workers and the public, and more compatible with a quality environment.

Jan 1, 1979

By A. L. Service

Idaho has nearly 6 billion tons of potential sources of phosphorite, 10 to 31 percent P2O5' above and within 100 feet below entry level, the largest potential of any State in the United States. In 1963 Idaho ranked third after Florida and Tennessee in total mine and marketable production of phosphate rock; Montana ranked fourth. This report describes phosphate deposits, mines, and prospects in 10 districts covering most of the Idaho phosphate field. All mine production of phosphate rock in Idaho comes from surface mines and is processed to phosphate fertilizers, phosphoric acid, and elemental phosphorus. Producing districts are Fort Hall (Gay mine), Trail Creek (Conda and Ballard mines), and Crow Creek (Georgetown Canyon mine). FMC Corp. and J. R. Simplot Co. at Pocatello have the largest elemental phosphorus and fertilizer production facilities, respectively, in the State, followed by Monsanto Co. and El Paso Natural Gas Products Co. (formerly Central Farmers Fertilizer Co.). The only other major phosphate processing plant in the State is the phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizer complex at Kellogg operated by the Bunker Hill Co. In 1963 a plant was constructed and put on line at Monsanto, Idaho, to recover vanadium from ferrophosphorus produced by electric furnace operations in the area. El Paso Natural Gas Products Co. completed construction of a fertilizer and phosphoric acid plant near Conda in 1965. There is a small fertilizer plant producing phosphate fertilizers for local consumption in Soda Springs.

Jan 1, 1966

By S. Kraemer

Consumption of plastics has been growing in both the U.S. and world markets since the mid-1930s. This growth is due to plastics being used to make new products and as a replacement material for existing products. This paper develops an understanding of the replacement process by looking at the use of plastic, specifically PVC, in the construction pipe industry. History details the growth of the plastics industry and a discussion of the material selection process indicates the advantages and disadvantages of plastic pipe. Analysis shows that the use of plastic, as an alternative material for pipe, is having a significant effect on the cast iron, copper, clay, and steel industries. For the purpose of understanding the replacement process, three example residential systems were examined with a lifecycle cost analysis being performed. PVC was the material of choice in 1988 for all systems. Even though disposal cost was the one area where PVC was not the most cost effective, disposal costs were not sufficient to offset the overall advantage of using PVC on an economic basis. That plastic competes effectively with other materials, in terms of material properties and cost, indicates that further work should be performed to understand the impact plastics have on other material markets.

Jan 1, 1991

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 Joel N. Van Sant

THIS REPORT describes the occurrence, mining, and use of refractory clay in Colorado within Region III of the Federal Bureau of Mines, which includes the States of North arid South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Field work by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, included examination of active and abandoned refractory-clay mines as well as a reconnaissance survey and sampling of numerous clay-bearing formations exposed in Colorado. Information from the survey and the sampling will help guide private industry in its search for virgin sources of refractory clay. Library research of published and unpublished reports from various Federal, State, and private sources was conducted during the early phase of the investigation. Most of the refractory clay mined in the Denver-Golden district of Colorado is not used for refractory purposes but is blended with other clays in the manufacture of structural clay products. The predominantly flint-clay de-posits in the Pueblo and Fremont County districts are mined and utilized chiefly in fabricating refractory products.

Jan 1, 1959

By BUREAU OF MINES

In 1948 the United States became a net importer of oil. Coupled with an unpre- cedented domestic production of 5,900,000 barrels daily, imports approximating 500,000 barrels made available a total supply of 6,400,000 barrels a day. Thus, by herculean effort, the oil industry was able to meet an extraordinary demand at home and, in addition, to ship abroad almost 400,00 barrels daily of petroleum and products. The country's oil position now differs greatly from that prevailing at the be- ginning of World War II. Then, actual oil production averaged about 4 million bar- rels a day, and productive capacity probably was greater than 5 million barrels a day. As the demand of the military and industrial machine grew with the rising tempo of the drive toward victory, the United States not only met its own needs but pro- duced about two-thirds of the total oil requirements of the Allied Nations, excluding Russia. As a people, we can be deeply grateful that the Nation's petroleum resources were adequate and sufficiently developed to support such a tremendous effort. Even in those critical hours when immediate needs were the paramount issues, a prudent Congress paused to contemplate the importance of an assured long-term supply of liquid fuels. From these deliberations came the Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act of 1944, which authorized research and development work on new sources of oil coal, oil shale, and agricultural and forestry products. ce World War II, a civilian demand for 6 million barrels of petroleum prod- ucts has become the order of the day every day. By drilling as many as 39,000 new wells a year, the production rate has been increased enough to meet domestic require- ments by a bare margin. Some imports were necessary, however, to fill both domestic and foreign demands, and these doubtless will increase. Is this policy of exploration within the United States and the development of oil in foreign countries adequate insurance for the fulfillment of our future national needs? This question has two aspects one purely civilian and economic in character and the other significant from the standpoint of our national defense. There are now approximately 4,000 producing oil fields in this country. At first thought, it would appear that production could decline in a considerable number of these fields without materially affecting the over-all daily output. However, 48 percent of the oil comes from only 111 major fields which contain 50 percent of the total proved domestic reserves. It is apparent, then, that the flow from large fields - having proved reserves of 100 million barrels or more each must be sustained if daily production is to be kept at the present levels. Essentially, this means that new major fields must be discovered about as rapidly or perhaps more rapidly than the older ones lose productive capacity. From 1940 through 1947, only eight major fields with estimated reserves of more than 100 million barrels each, were discovered and proved - an average of one such field a year. The total estimated reserve of these eight fields was less than 1 year's supply at the present rate of use. As drilling continues, some existing fields ultimately will prove reserves larger than those now known. Without a pronounced increase in the num- ber of major discoveries, however, the prospects for increasing our present productive level are not encouraging. Any gap that appears between domestic productive capacity and demand could be filled with supplies from proved oil resources abroad. Assuming cheap pipe-line and tanker transportation to the United States, freedom from exorbitant taxes and charges

Jan 1, 1949

By J. M. West

Increased leisure time and increased interest in the out-of-doors is leading more and more families to experiment with placer mining of gold, and some- times even to going on into small-scale production. This Bureau of Mines report supplies basic information un areas of occurrence, equipment needed, prospecting, sampling, mining, and regulations concerning the possession and sale of gold. Selected references are given for further study.

Jan 1, 1971

By Paul Hatmaker

Diatomite is the name now generally given to a mineral substance composed of the tiny , skeletal remains of diatoms , which are microscopic , flowerless , water plants related to the algae ... This residuum is essentially hydrous amorphous silica. Common names for diatomite are : Diatomaceous earth , tripolite , kieselguhr , and infusorial earth . Strictly speaking , however , the latter material is not diatomite , as it is composed of the fossil remains of infusoria , which usually do not occur with the diatomaceae . Other synonyms for diatomite are : Diatomaceous silica , kieselmehl , bergmehl , diatomeenpeelite , polirschiefer , moler , molera , molererde , de smid earth , fossil flour , mountain flour , farine fossil , white peat , radiolarian earth , chalk rock, ceyssatite , randanite , and tellurine ; also various diatomite products of individual companies are known by their own trade names . Diatomite should not be confused with fuller's earth , for the two are separate and distinct substances . Bentonite , pumice , and tripoli , have also been used erroneously to designate diatomite . Tripolite , however , is a true diatomite formerly mined near Tripoli ..

Feb 1, 1931

By R. Farrar

The survey work on protective canopy design was conducted in a 2-month period commencing November 15, 1973. The reported re¬sults under this contract are intended to provide guidance to coal mine operators in complying with federal regulations pertaining to incorporation of protective canopies on underground coal mine electric face equipment. All coal mine electric face equipment manufacturers and 11 coal mines were visited in the course of conducting this survey. Canopy designs currently being manufactured and those now being used underground were examined and discussed with manufacturers, mine operators, machine operators, and safety committeemen. The general objective was to find out what kind of canopies are now being made and used underground, what the operational problems are, and what can be done to secure improvements. Specifically, the survey scope was as follows: a. Survey all electric face equipment manufacturers. b. Survey 10 coal mines (seam height 60 inches and greater). c. Identify current production canopy configurations and minimum mine entry dimensions for each model and type of electric face equipment. d. Assess in-mine operation of canopies developed by manufacturers and/or coal companies. e. Specify optimal canopy configuration and minimum mine entry dimensions for each type and model of electric face equipment.

Jan 1, 1974

By William J. Kemnitzer

This study was made to show the growth of petroleum coking and to deter- mine trends and characteristics of marketing and utilization of coke on the West Coast, comparing these data with those of the United States as a whole. An earlier Bureau of Mines economic survey of petroleum coke was made in 1930 before the widespread use of coking processes. Data, derived from published and unpublished literature as well as from interviews with industry representatives, show a marked increase in the production of petroleum coke since the end of World War II. This increase resulted from the need of refiners to upgrade heavy residuums for which the demand was diminishing. Increasing coke production as well as significant market shifts away from California-produced coke have created excessive stocks of petroleum coke on the West Coast. The causes of these market shifts were based mainly on (1) economic factors and (2) certain undesirable qualities of some of the petroleum coke produced in California.

Jan 1, 1965

The goal of the Bureau of Mines diesel engine research program is to reduce exhaust emissions and minimize the risk of fires and explosions caused by the use of diesel- powered equipment in underground mines. This program has led to a fundamental understanding of the problems and to solutions that allow diesel equipment to be used safely and effectively. This volume contains reports of the presentations made at the Bureau Technology Transfer Seminar on Diesels in Underground &fines given in Louisville, KY, and Denver, CO, on April 21 and April 23, 1987. It also contains three reports of related research, not presented at the seminar, which highlight the significant achievements of a joint US.-Canadian research program on diesel emission control technology for underground mines. Topics covered in this volume include discussions of industrial hygiene problems associated with the use of diesels, accident statistics, fire and explosion control systems, measurement of diesel pollutants, emission control techniques including engine maintenance, fuel additives, diesel particulate filters, and ventilation of diesel sections. An alternative to diesel power, the hydrogen-powered mine vehicle, is also described.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. V. Higgins, H. C. Miller

"INTRODUCTION The development of methods for determining the total quantity of crude oil that a given pool could be expected to produce in the future and the well-spacing and drilling programs most likely to result in the recovery of the maximum quantity of oil at the minimum cost became problems of acute concern to American oil producers and petroleum engineers during the second decade of the twentieth century, The United States faced what seemed at that time to be a serious shortage of petroleum, and it appeared that the constantly increasing demand for petroleum and its products could not be adequately supplied. Undrilled prospective acreage, which until then had been plentiful, seemed to be getting scarcer, competition was increasing, the margin of profit to the producer was shrinking, and the need for developing constructive policies of conservation appeared paramount. As a result of physical and economic changes then taking place within the petroleum industry prompted by the seemingly uncertain future, accurate knowledge pertaining to the probable future production of oil wells and of oil lands especially was needed and greatly desired. Furthermore, the need for obtaining the maximum quantity of oil from known fields caused technical information - which up to that time had not been deemed essential to the successful and profitable operation of oil lands - to be sought eagerly. The need for technical information, such as methods for determining future reserves of oil and the rate at which the oil could be obtained under a specific program of drilling, was emphasized further with the passage of the Revenue Act of 1918, and oil producers with enough income to place them in the taxable class were compelled, for the first time, to report their taxable income 4/ to the Treasury Department."

Nov 1, 1939

By Horace T. Reno

This information circular surveys the iron are industry of the world. It presents a comprehensive statistical record through 1970 of the U.S. iron ore industry and world trade patterns. The supply position of the United States and the other principal industrial countries of the world are summarized; detailed information is given on iron are production, consumption, imports, exports, mine capacities, substitutes, properties, and uses. There is a generalized discussion of the technology of mining and smelting iron ore, with a selected bibliography on the current state of these arts. The circular contains a summary economic account of world iron are resources, and discussions of the structure of the domestic and principal foreign mining industries, iron are mine employment and labor productivity, research and development, legislation, government programs, and strategic factors.

Jan 1, 1973

By D. A. Elkins

This report is the second of a series of three that will evaluate, in order, the metallothermic, carbothermic, and electrolytic methods of magnesium production. The historical development of the carbothermic process is outlined. Production costs varying from 38.9 to 21.8 cents per pound of magnesium are estimated for different versions of the process. Additional suggested process modifications are listed. The technical and economic potential of the different versions are compared. Areas deemed most promising for future research on the process are delineated.

Jan 1, 1967

By Albert H. Fay

This glossary is published by the Bureau of Mines as a contribution to the mining literature in the belief that it will fill a long-felt need. It contains about 20,000 terms; these include both technical and purely local terms related to metal mining, coal mining., quarrying, petroleum, and natural gas, and metallurgical works; names of useful, important, and common minerals and rocks; and geological terms. It presents in one comprehensive volume the available standard, technical terms relating to the mining and mineral industry, as well as provincialisms that have been or are now in use in English-speaking countries. The glossary also includes many terms relating to ceramics and. the clay industry, glass making, foundry practice, railway and building construction, electrical installation and power-plant equipment, and chemical terms relating to metallurgical practice. Complete lists of terms for each of these allied industries are beyond the scope of this glossary. Paleontological terms, although closely associated with geology, are far removed from mining and metallurgical operations, and for this reason have been omitted.

Jan 1, 1920

By Robert H. Townsend

The following paper discusses the mining, transportation, and crushing methods, with costs, at the San Andreas plant of the Calaveras Cement Co. It is one of a series, prepared for and published by the U. S. Bureau of Mine describing methods used in cement-rock quarries throughout the country. These papers are designed to disseminate technical information regarding the methods used. The cost tabulations represent operating expenditures only and not total cost. It is recognized that publication of total costs mightin some instances cause embarrassment to individual producers as well as to the industry as a hole. On the other hand, operating costs are essential to the technical discussion and study of the methods employed. The attention of the reader is specifically called to this differentiation in order that no misunderstanding of the scope of the cost-tabulations shall ensue.

Jan 1, 1933