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1. The following recommendations should apply to all mines, tunnels and underground quarries, but to opencast quarries only in so far as persons can be exposed to dust injurious to health. General In the present state of knowledge, all duets liberated in mining, tunneling and quarrying operations should be considered potentially injurious to health if breathed in sufficient quantity; dusts containing free silica should be considered specially injurious to health, the injurious particles being below 7 microns in diameter.

Jan 1, 1954

By S. J. Davenport

The increased consumption and importation of fluorspar and cryolite (1)3/ in recent years, and especially the addition of fluorine compounds to drinking water in the United States, have aroused renewed interest in the properties of such compounds and possible health hazards incident to their use. It has been suggested that the issuance of a revision and elaboration of Information Circular 7311, The Hazards of Hydrogen Fluoride Poisoning in the Mineral and Allied Industries, which hay been out of print for some time, would be opportune. Fluorine minerals have been known since the Middle Ages. Fluorine was isolated in 1886 by Moisson (2).

Jan 1, 1954

As a part of its overall wealth in fuel resources, the United States possesses large reserves of coal of ignite rank. According to recent estimates of the Federal Geological Survey (3, 5),l/ the assured lignite reserves of this country amount in total to over 463 billion tons, equivalent to 24 percent of our total national coal reserve on a tonnage basis and 15 percent on a heating-value basis. Distribution and relative amounts of United States coal and lignite reserves are indicated in figure 1. By far the largest proportion of our lignite reserves, over 95 percent is found in North Central States, principally in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, in the vast coal-bearing structural grouping designated as the Fort Union formation. Of the remaining United States reserves, all but a fraction of 1 percent are found in a series of relatively scattered deposits in Texas.

Jan 1, 1954

By D. S. Kingery

This study describes five fatal accidents so unusual in occurrence that the chain of circumstances bringing them about may never be duplicated. The intent of this publication is to illustrate that everyone working underground is subjected, at all times, to definite inherent mining hazards and that safety devices, though provided, often are ineffective or not used. It is hoped that a study of these fatal accidents in bituminous-coal mines will show workers and safety engineers that nothing can be taken for granted. Safety planning with continuous study can prevent these unusual accidents as well as the routine recurring types, which cause the majority of coal-mining injuries. The treacherous, fatalistic philosophy that "it can't happen to me" or that "when my time's up I'll get it regardless of what I do," still prevails among individuals and even safety engineers. The individual or safety man who believes in luck as applied to safety should not read any further, since this study was written for the sincere, safety-minded individual who accepts the prevention of all accidents as a challenge to his knowledge, initiative, persuasiveness, and salesmanship.

Jan 1, 1954

By B. R. Klahold

Each year hundreds of mineral specimens and numerous inquiries regarding tests and analyses of minerals and related inorganic substances are received by the Bureau of Mines. In response to this demand, in years past Information Circulars were published containing a list of laboratories. This paper is a revised version of Information Circular 7523, The listing has been changed from a regional basis to one of States arranged alphabetically and grouped by cities, again alphabetically, with Alaska and Canada listed at the end. All the services given at these laboratories are listed on one page for convenience and brevity. This list is compiled as a public service, and none of the laboratories listed herein are recommended over any other nor can the Bureau of Mines vouch for their results.

Jan 1, 1954

By L. F. Heising

This report is a general summary of pertinent data on the manufacture and use of synthetic ammonia products. It provides a condensed summary of the potentialities of a synthetic ammonia industry in North Dakota for Federal, State, and private organizations that may be interested in helping to develop an integrates synthetic ammonia and fertilizer industry. The report contains discussions of: (1) Materials used in the manufacture of nitrogenous fertilizers, nitric acid, and urea; (2) National production, imports, exports, and consumption; (3) the ammonia industry, location, capacity of plants; (4) processes used in manufacturing synthetic ammonia, nitric acid, and urea; (5) other potential industries; and (6) analyses of manufaturing and plant cosh;. Additional information on industrial compounds from ammonia and plant nutrients removed by crops is given in Appendixes 1 and 2. Synthetic ammonia is one of the primary ingredients in fertilizers. Resources required in synthetic ammonia manufacture are available in North Dakota. Hydrogen is available from the petroleum and natural gas resources, particularly in the Williston Basin, and from the large lignite resources in the State. Hydrogen can be produced from lignite by a gasification process developed by the Bureau of Mines at Grand Forks, N. Dak.

Jan 1, 1954

By E. E. Harton

Bureau of Mines Information Circular 16, Bibliography of Investment and Operating Costs for Chemical and Petroleum Plants, was published in October 1949 as an aid in making estimates of investment and operating costs of processes for manufacturing synthetic liquid fuels. Development of such processes by the Bureau of Mines was authorized by Public Law 290, 78th Congress. This bibliography included refer¬ences to and abstracts of publications appearing from 1930 to September 1948 on all processes in general use in the petroleum refining and chemical industries. Publications in this field have been numerous since compilation of the above bibliography, and the present report was prepared to cover the field from September 1948 through June 1952.3/

Jan 1, 1955

By Irving Hartmann

Several recent ignitions of firedamp - a mixture of methane and air - in American coal mines have been attributed to frictional heating when hard rocks were struck while cutting and drilling coal seams. Although none of these ignitions caused severe explosions, they call attention to a problem that can become increasingly significant as mechanized mining is developed further. The power in and rapid release of energy from high-speed machinery has increased the rates of advance into virgin coal creating many problems. Unforeseen faults and hard mineral inclusions may be encountered; coal brought down in this way is finer in size; more gas is released from the seam; it is frequently more difficult to provide adequate ventilation at the' face; and new roof-support problems must be solved. In particular, continuous mining machines (also known as continuous miners) greatly increase the frequency of contact between cutter bits and minerals. In view of these conditions, it may be expected that more gas ignitions will occur as a result of frictional heating unless the situation is understood and remedial measures are introduced. The problem of frictional heating is not new in coal mining. In Europe, particularly in England, it has been a concern for more than a century. During the last 15 to 20 years frictional ignitions have been a major cuase of explosions in British mines. Explanations for the greater number of such ignitions in England may be the special character of the coal measure strata, the mining methods, the rate of gas emission and possibly its composition, and less effective ventilation near the face. To reduce the ignition hazard, considerable laboratory and field research has been conducted, particularly by the Safety in Mines Research Establishment, Ministry of Fuel and Power of Great Britain. Much of the information presented in this report has been drawn from these studies.

Jan 1, 1955

By Carl Belser

This report on tungsten in Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties, Colo., is one of a series describing results of studies on the tungsten potentialities in Region III, Bureau of Mines. The San Juan tungsten deposits occur in an area of 250 square miles, centering near the common corner of Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties (fig. 1). Field work supporting these studies was done in May 1954. Bureau of Mines reports prepared from investigations made during World War II and under the Defense Production Act of 1950 were reviewed.

Jan 1, 1956

By James Westfield

Bureau of Mines activities for safety and health in the mineral industries were reorganized during the fiscal year to provide direct supervision by the Assistant Director -Health and Safety. On December 19, 1954, the field offices conducting these activities were designated as district health and safety offices reporting to the Assistant Director. The functions of determining the causes of accidents and injuries in the mineral industries and recommending measures to eliminate them were continued, with satisfactory results in improved safety records. The inspection of coal mines and enforcement of the Federal Coal Mine Safety Act of 1952 were conducted as directed by the Congress, and safety conditions in the mines were notably improved. One coal-mine explosion classed as a major disaster occurred during the year. The causes of that explosion and means for preventing a recurrence were still under investigation because of the extreme difficulty in recovering several portions of the mine. Basic research on the nature of certain hazards and ways of eliminating them is continued. Training of individual workmen and supervisors in this knowledge is a major part of the work.

Jan 1, 1956

By R. W. Barnes

This circular presents results of a survey conducted by the Bureau of Mines to ascertain the extent to which dust-control practices are employed in the coal-mining industry. This survey was initiated because of increasing realization of the possible harmful effects of the inhalation of dust upon the health of coal-mine workers and the advent, during recent years, of new types of mining machinery and new mining methods that may have a direct effect upon the extent of exposure to airborne dust experienced by persons mining coal. Anthracite Mines The survey covered 169 anthracite mines that were operating from November 1, 1953, to July 1, 1954. It showed that large mines employing more than 100 men were doing most to control dust produced during mining.

Jan 1, 1956

By James Westfield

This report covers the calendar year 1954 and has been prepared and submitted to the Congress of the United States in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 106(a) and Sec. 2l2(c) of the Federal Coal-Mine Safety Act (66 Stat. 692; 30 U.S.C. Sec. 451-483). Background The Federal Coal-Mine Inspection program was established to carry out the provisions of Public Law 49, 77th Congress, H. R. 2082, approved May 7, 1941. This act has since been amended to be known as Title I -Advisory Powers Relating to Health and Safety Conditions in Mines, under Public Law 552, 82d Congress, approved July 16, 1952, which also includes Title II -Prevention of Major Disasters in Mines. Public Law 552 is known as the Federal Coal-Mine Safety Act.

Jan 1, 1956

By O. C. Blade

Total sales of diesel fuel in the United States continue to Increase. This growth is due primarily to two causes: More conversion to diesel units by the rail-roads In recent years, and the greater use of diesel engines in trucks, busses, and tractors. Following are some figures on the distribution of the fuel computed from data issued by the Bureau of Mines.2/ [ ] Deliveries of diesel type fuel from refineries totaled 91,522,000 barrels during the first six months of 1955,3/ corresponding figure for 1954 was 91,170,000 barrels. Information on the properties of this engine fuel is very important to the petroleum industry, engine manufacturers, and consumers. To supply such information the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, under cooperative agreement, are conducting annual surveys of diesel fuel oil produced in refineries in this country.

Jan 1, 1955

By John H. Soulé

This paper describes the location and general features of the ?Red Bed? or sandstone copper deposits in southeastern Colorado and New Mexico. Most of the areas containing this type of deposit were visited, and many deposits were examined. Some deposits were not visited because of lack of information as to their location. In the large area covered a great variety of climatic, geographic, and topographic conditions exists. Some of the deposits are in arid areas, whereas others are in heavily forested regions. Altitudes range from 3,400 to 9,200 feet, and the terrain varies from flat plains to rugged mountains. Transportation is a difficult problem in most of the districts, involving long truck hauls to a railroad and long rail hauls to a smelter.

Jan 1, 1956

By C. W. Owings

One phase of Bureau of Mines health and safety work is promotion of the use of safe and effective dust-collecting devices in connection with rock drilling in coal mines. To insure that adequate equipment of this type is available to the coal-mining industry, the Bureau of Mines conducts investigations and issues approvals for dust-collecting equipment that meets the requirements of a schedule established for testing dust collectors intended for use in connection with roof drilling for roof bolting and for other rock drilling. 6/ Performance tests are conducted under the provisions of this schedule by engineers of the Branch of Health Research. This circular describes briefly the requirements and procedure for approval and lists drill-dust collectors that have been granted approval as of January 31, 1956. The addresses of manufacturers of approved devices are listed alphabetically at the end of this circular.

Jan 1, 1956

By John R. Reynolds

This paper describes mining and milling methods of the American Smelting & Refining Co. at the Morning mine in the Mullan area of the Coeur d'Alene mining region in Idaho and is one of a series of Bureau of Mines reports dealing with methods and costs of mining throughout the United States. The Morning mine has been described previously in a Bureau of Mines report published in 1930,2/ and the milling methods and costs at the Morning concentrator were presented in a Bureau of Mines report published in 1932. 3/ These reports are supplemented by this publication, which presents data to show the effect of changing times and conditions on a typical medium-size mining operation during the latter part of its history, when costs were rising and production was from increasingly greater depths. The report contrasts two periods in the history of the mine-periods not too far separated in years but considerably different in economic conditions. During the first period (1939) costs of labor and materials were moderate, mining operations were just being transferred from the main shaft to deeper workings opened from the offset shaft, and the operation prospered. During the second period (12 years later) production costs had increased following the national trend in all industry, mining was from greater depths near the bottom of the ore body, and the operation was becoming unprofitable. Mining on the lower levels of the property ceased in 1953.

Jan 1, 1956

By R. O. Pynnonen

This circular is a study by the Bureau of Mines of 346 accidents in underground iron-ore mines of the Lake Superior district from June 1949 to August 1954. These accidents caused 354 lost-time injuries, including 28 fatalities and 2 permanent-total disabilities. The accident reports were analyzed by the Bureau to show the causes of injuries and the time charges and unsafe practices or conditions that caused the accidents. Also shown are the times of occurrence, ages of the injured by job classification, and experience of the injured in mines and on the job being performed when hurt. Detailed information is presented on approximately 14 percent of the total number of Lake Superior district underground mine accidents that resulted in lost-time injuries during the period covered. These facts are presented to aid accident-prevention measures in underground mines and as a record for measuring future safety accomplishments.

Jan 1, 1956

An accelerated and coordinated program of coal research is believed by many to be a necessary step in assuring coal's proper position in the expanding energy market. The President's Advisory Committee on Energy Supplies and Resources Policy, for example, made the following recommendation: We recognize that coal is a great national asset and endorse a cooperative study to determine what research and development could be undertaken. The coal industry and both Federal and State Governments should participate in this study and its costs. Representatives of the coal industry have agreed that such a study should be initiated. Accordingly, Felix E. Wormser, Assistant Secretary - Mineral Resources, United States Department of the Interior, requested the Bureau of Mines and Bituminous Coal Research, Inc., to conduct a survey of current research on bituminous coal. In addition to this survey, studies were made to determine research projects that would be of value to the coal industry.

Jan 1, 1956

By F. L. Wideman

This paper is one of a series on mining methods being published by the Bureau of Mines. It describes briefly mining practices at the Sunrise iron mine of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Corp., Platte County, Wyo. The Sunrise mine is in the Hartville iron district in east-central Wyoming (fig. 1). The district covers part of the Hartville Mountains, a region of moderate relief in which erosional features have been formed by the dissection of a low plateau. Altitudes vary from 4,300 feet along the North Platte River to 6,000 feet in the uplift. The climate is semiarid, with hot summers and winter temperatures below zero for short periods. Grasses, cacti, yucca, and low desert shrubs grow at lower elevations. Cottonwood and boxelder trees and willows grow along permanent streams; juniper and coniferous trees are confined to the higher elevations.

Jan 1, 1956

By Eleanor Abshire

This bibliography is the result of a cooperative project undertaken by the Bureau of Ships and the Bureau of Mines to accumulate literature published to date on zirconium and hafnium and to establish an information center on these metals for the use of any interested research organization or library. This bibliography, which will be supplemented as additional information is accumulated, consists of references, with abstracts, to pertinent literature on the subject published from 1907 to date.

Jan 1, 1957