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By T. W. Quayle

This paper describing mining practices at the United Verde copper mine, Jerome, Ariz., is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining practices, methods, and costs in the various mining districts f the United States. At present mining operations are being conducted both underground and by electric shovels in an open pit. The open-pit work has been described by E. M. J. Alenius in a previous publication of the Bureau of Minos;3 the present paper will be confined to a description of the underground mine. The underground methods comprise horizontal cut-and-fill, shrinkage with delayed filling, horizontal square-set, inclined square-set, and top slice. The normal daily production of the underground mine is 3,000 tons of copper ore per day, requiring the employment of 900 men underground.

Jan 1, 1931

By Kenneth Maas

The Bureau of Mines devoted portions of the 1987-1988 field seasons to investigate the mineral aggregate industry in Juneau, Skagway, Haines, and Gustavus, Alaska, as part of the Juneau Mining District study. Statistics compiled for current suppliers include location, activity, reserve estimates, expected mine life, and types of commodities available. Each population center, except for Gustavus, is well endowed with suitable mineral aggregate to last at least 20 years. The Bureau of Mines quantified the mineral aggregate resource in many large potential sites within each area. Sampling, engineering and soil-index testing, site descriptions, deposit dimensions, and gold recovery information is described. Refraction seismic studies performed at three localities revealed gravel thicknesses in excess of 40 to 80 feet. In the Juneau area the Herbert/Eagle Rivers outwash area, East Fork Lace River. Antler/Gilkey Rivers, and Grizzly Bar (Taku Inlet) individually contain in excess of 60 million yd3 of excellent-quality aggregate with minor accessory gold credits. Haines is also well endowed with aggregate resources; large, quality deposits occur along and at the confluences of the Chilkat, Katzehin, Klehini, Tsirku, and Kicking Horse Rivers. Large deposits of granitic aggregate exist in the Skagway River and East Fork Skagway River.

Jan 1, 2012

By C. Lorimer Colburn

"The diverting of men from industry to combat in the world's war focused the attention of the operators in this country upon mechanical means of doing things. The demand for man-power -was so insistent that every available agency for multiplying it had to be employed. It was during the 1period of the war and immediately thereafter that development of the use of underground loading devices made most rapi4 progress. In all parts of the United States, mining engineers and mine managers were diligent in their efforts to develop mechanical loaders. The mining engineers of the U. S. Bureau of Mines in every section of the country have secured, with the cooperation of the mine operators, data on the actual performance of the mechanical shovels in their districts, and have made them available to the author of this paper.No effort has been made to discuss exhaustively the subject of underground loading devices. It has been the object to collect together in one paper, records of the performance of all machines now in actual use. Improvements in the design of machines are constantly being made the performance records given in this paper relate to operation prior to March 1 1 1921. The records prior to 1920 cay not fully represent the work that could be accomplished with the present models of the same machine.The data secured are given exactly as reported by the mine operators. Since this data were collected there have been two underground loaders, of a different design, put into operation in the iron mines of the Lake Superior District. One is the John Mayne Sub-level loader, being tried by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., Ishpeming, Mich., and the other is the Cole-Goudie shovel, being tried by the Oliver Mining Company, at Ironwood, Mich. No information has been secured regarding the performance of either of these machines."

Oct 1, 1921

By F. W. Horton

Investigation of an extensive deposit of chromite-bearing actinolite-talc schist situated on the summit of Casper Mountain, 10 miles south of Casper, Wyo., was one of the first projects Undertaken by the Bureau of Mines under the Strategic Materials Act (Public 117, 76th Cong., Ch. 190, 1st sess.), for which an appropriation became available August 9, 1939. During the previous summer; the Geological Survey? made? a magnetometrical survey of the area in which the schist occurred. It was exposed in several small lenses and two larger ones aggregating about 19?acres in area. Although the occurrence of chromite here had been known for many years, the only work done on the deposit was the digging of? a few shallow pits on some of the more promising outcrops. From August 23 to December 3, 1939, the Bureau of Mines investigated the larger of the two main schist bodies. Twenty-four trenches having a total length of 8,073 feet were dug across the deposit, and its subsurface extension was explored by 3,623 feet of diamond drilling. Over 32 tons of samples were shipped to the Metallurgical Division of the Bureau of Mines at Reno, Nev., for reduction, analysis, and ore testing. In all, there were 853 individual samples. Geological maps, based upon examination of outcrops, trenches, and drill cores, as well as a contour map of the area were made by the Geological Survey.

Jan 1, 1949

By Walter Gervásio Ladeira

O quartzito Taboões é uma fonte potencial de matérias-primas de sílica (areias industriais), e precisa ser adequadamente caracterizado para se definir metodologias de beneficiamento que visem o seu melhor aproveitamento possível. Dois litotipos foram classificados nos quartzitos intemperizados da Formação Taboões presentes em São Joaquim de Bicas – MG: quartzito argiloso e quartzito. A principal diferença entre eles é a abundância relativa de argilominerais. Em uma amostra representativa do quartzito argiloso foram caracterizados quatro tipos de contaminações com auxílio de análises granulométricas e químicas, microscopia (óptica e eletrônica de varredura), e difração de raios-X. Estas contaminações são: incrustações no quartzo; películas de argilominerais e minerais de ferro aderidas ao quartzo; partículas de minerais de ferro liberadas em meio ao quartzito; e partículas liberadas de rochas estranhas ao quartzito. A caracterização realizada é um ponto de partida para se planejar rotas de processamento mineral visando obtenção de matérias-primas para a indústria.

Aug 8, 2018

By Leping Liu, Li‑Ting Chen, Sachin Urade, Pengbo Chu

Mining industry requires constant adaptation to its practices in response to the dynamic change of the societal demand. Little information exists regarding how the US metal mining engineering education is prepared to meet with its industry needs due to the increase in critical minerals driven by the green energy transitions. This study aims to provide industrial perspectives on the current US metal mining engineering education and areas for improvement. An online survey with both closed- and open-ended questions were designed to seek opinions from the US mining industry. Findings indicated a shortage of qualified graduates from the current US metal mining engineering education system. The qualifications need to be improved include engineering sciences underlying mining methods, mining design experience, mining feasibility study, the connection between theory and practice, and understanding of the overall mining operation. The survey also identified future desired qualifications. The most desired ones in the next 5 years include an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed and sufficient experience in the field. Respondents, regardless of the nature of their affiliated mining companies, unanimously recommended that collaborations between the industry and academia should be enhanced. The analysis of the results concluded four recommendations: (1) involve more multiple stakeholders in reforming mining education programs, (2) reinforce field experiences as a key part of mining engineering education programs, (3) enhance a closer collaboration between academia and industry, and (4) integrate emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence/virtual reality) guided by pedagogical theories into new mining engineering curriculums.

Jun 26, 2023

By L. S. Hansen

Organized efforts toward the prevention of injuries and occupational diseases have been of comparatively recent origin in the mining industry, dating generally from the beginning of this century. Mining-and particularly underground mining- is more hazardous in many respects than most other major industries, and continual and increasing attention has been given to its health and safety aspects. The importance of the physical well-being of those engaged in mining was recognized by Agricola, who, after describing the hazards encountered in 16th century mining operations, stated that "Some of these evils, as well as certain other things, are the reason why pits are occasionally abandoned." In the past 50 yr particularly, mine managements and labor organizations, separately or collectively, have mounted productive efforts toward the prevention of accidents and industry-associated diseases and illnesses. A statistical study of this period indicates that increasing awareness coupled with the endeavors of all concerned agencies has resulted in decreasing frequency of occurrences of injuries and illnesses. In recent years particularly the mining industry has used the services of safety engineers, industrial hygienists, inspectors, ventilation engineers and other specializing in locating and correcting deficiencies affecting the welfare of employees. Concurrently, the labor movement has incorporated into its organization individuals working in the fields of health and safety, many devoting full time to these responsibilities. Others serve in behalf of their fellow workmen as on-the-job safety representatives. Most authorities agree that accidents are caused by (1) unsafe acts, (2) unsafe conditions and, exceptionally, (3) Acts of God. The "unsafe act" often is cited as the prime cause. but many accidents, and attendant injuries, are the result of a blend of "unsafe acts" and "unsafe conditions," with each chargeable in varying proportions. It therefore is necessary to consider both the physical elements of the mine plant and the training, mental attributes and actions of all personnel involved. Analysis of an accident, if based on hasty reconnaissance and unduly hurried questioning, seldom will disclose more than surface causes and consequently will result in inadequate measures to prevent repetition. Mining involves unavoidable and calculated risks, as in all facets of life. It is most important then that men employed in mining be schooled in the hazards and develop fully the ability to evaluate and minimize risks. The environment, of underground mining often is harsh and strange compared to the more natural surface conditions man has learned to cope with as a part of established life patterns. The miner. therefore, must adapt to unusual situations and conditions and must develop a mental attitude permitting acceptance of change. 3.1-INDUSTRY-AFFILIATED SAFETY AGENCIES L. S. HANSEN There are many organizations primarily interested in health and safety. In addition to industry and labor groups, there are many private and governmental

Jan 1, 1973

By Luís Carlos da Silva

Apresenta-se uma revisão das características e propriedades do nitreto cúbico de boro (cBN) bem como de diferentes tipos de processamento. A influência da adição de ligantes e a formação de compósitos com outras cerâmicas são também revistas. Finalmente, destaca-se a grande importância prática do cBN como cerâmica de elevada dureza na substituição do diamante em ferramentas de corte.

Oct 30, 2017

By T. O. Glover

The Bureau of Mines surveyed unit trainloading and storage installations in the midwestern, eastern, and southeastern coalfields. Nine individual operations were studied in detail as a representative cross section of unit train operations in these areas. Of the nine operations studied, three were in Illinois, two in Kentucky, and one each in West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Information was obtained from coal producers, coal sale agencies, railroads, construction and equipment companies, and power companies.

Jan 1, 1970

By Reimers. Jan H.

Practically all the world's lead is produced by sintering and blast furnace smelting, or the Imperial Smelting Process which is a variant of the blast furnace process. Increased coke and labour costs and strict lead emission limits have, however, made blast furnace smelting undesirable in most countries. A change-over to other lead smelting processes providing better working conditions and lower emissions is, therefore,. expected to occur once economic conditions improve and the necessary capital expenditures can be justified. The need for new lead smelting processes has long been evident and a number of new processes have been proposed 'and advanced to various stages of development. One of the new processes is already proven on commercial scale, while several others are still being tested on pilot plant scale.

Jan 1, 1983

By H. Britton

This bulletin is the seventh in the series of petroleum bibliographies published by the Bureau of Mines, Bulletins 149, 165, 180, 189, 216, and 220 being compilations for the years 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919-20, and 1921, respectively. In this bulletin the same general plan of classification of references has been followed, but several additions have been made. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgment is made to the following organizations for the use of their libraries in the preparation of this bulletin: University of California, Stanford University, California State Mining Bureau, Union Oil Co. of California, Standard Oil Co. of California, and the Mechanics Mercantile Library of San Francisco; acknowledgment for their assistance is also made to H. H. Hill, C. P. Bowie, A. L. Foster, M. J. Gavin, H. C. Miller, E. B. Swanson, and Miss Louise Janssen, all of the Bureau of Mines, and to Miss Elizabeth H. Burroughs of the Union Oil Co. of California.

Jan 1, 1929

By Liane L. M. Kacinuck

This U.S. Bureau of Mines publication is intended to provide mining industry representatives and regulatory authorities with a reference package dealing with studies on hydrology and underground mine subsidence. An annotated bibliography and a list of additional sources are given and represent references published prior to June 1993. Ninety-two references ware identified and 72 obtained for assessment. Annotating the references included evaluating the study methodology and summarizing the basic results. The references are also compiled based on geographic location to aid the user in identifying articles of particular interest.

Jan 1, 1994

By Keith S. Olson

During 1982 and 1983, the Bureau of Mines concentrated its fugitive dust control research on haulage road dust suppression by newer chemi-cals relatively unknown in the mineral industry, innovative dust control designs for haulage trucks, chemical tailing basin stabilization, and combined chemical and vegetation tailing basin stabilization. Relatively unknown dust suppression chemicals and innovative aerodynamic modifications to haulage truck fender designs were tested on a Minnesota sand and gravel operation haulage road. Magnesium chloride salt at 95-pct control efficiency and a petroleum derivative at 70-pct control efficiency were effective in suppressing dust generated by haulage vehicles; however, none of the fender modifications were successful. Commonly used dust suppressant chemicals were tested on a Minnesota taconite tailing basin to reduce the dust lift-off during the spring and fall dry seasons. The most successful chemical was lignin sulfonate with a seasonal cost of less than $200 per acre to achieve 90-pct dust control. When chemical treatments for immediate dust control were com-bined with revegetation for permanent control, the most promising chemical treatment based on vegetation response was lime-neutralized lignin sulfonate.

Jan 1, 1987

By Mark Rebagliati, John Payne, Jim Oliver

Abstract-The Campo Morado precious-metal-bearing, volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits occur in a lower Cretaceous, bimodal, calc-alkaline volcanic sequence in a major northerly trending belt in the Guerrero Terrane in northeastern Guerrero, Mexico. During upper Cretaceous to Early Tertiary greenschist-facies regional metamorphism, the rocks were deformed strongly into a northeast-verging fold-and-thrust belt. Three later stages of weak deformation were dominated, respectively, by kink folds, broad warps, and extensional faults. Most deposits occur in the upper part of a sequence of felsic flows and heterolithic volcanoclastic rocks or at its contact with overlying chert and argillite-sandstone. The Reforma and El Rey massive sulfide deposits are on the overturned limb of a major, thrusted anticline, and the Naranjo and El Largo massive sulfide deposits are to the south on the upright limb of the same major fold. The La Lucha and San Rafael massive sulfide occurrences are in an upper plate to the southwest which was thrusted over the plate containing the Naranjo and El Largo deposits. In several of the deposits, Au, Ag, Zn, and Pb are concentrated near the stratigraphic top, and Cu is concentrated near the stratigraphic base. Major minerals are pyrite, quartz, ankerite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and galena. Minor minerals are tennantite-freibergite, arsenopyrite, and pyrrhotite. Gold and Ag occur in argentian gold, and Ag also occurs in tennantite-freibergite. The cumulative inferred resource of massive sulfide for the Reforma, Naranjo, El Rey, and El Largo deposits exceeds 30 Mt, with the latter two deposits incompletely delineated. Underlying pyrite-quartz stockwork zones contain chalcopyrite, chlorite, and sphalerite. Hydrothermal alteration minerals in the stratigraphic footwall are pyrite, quartz, chlorite, ferroan dolomite, and ankerite. In the stratigraphic hangingwall, hydrothermal alteration minerals are sericite, calcite-dolomite, and lesser clay minerals and quartz. The deposits belong to a low-sulfidation, volcanogenic massive sulfide system formed in a subaqueous environment, and are of the bimodal, siliciclastic type.

Jan 1, 1997

By Mark Rebagliati, John Payne, Jim Oliver

The Campo Morado precious-metal-bearing, volcanogenic massive sul?de deposits occurin a lower Cretaceous, bimodal, calc-alkaline volcanic sequence in a major northerly trending belt inthe Guerrero Terrane in northeastern Guerrero, Mexico. During upper Cretaceous to Early Tertiary greenschist-facies regional metamorphism, the rocks were deformed strongly into a northeast-verging fold-and-thrust belt. Three later stages of weak deformation were dominated, respectively, by kink folds, broad warps, and extensional faults. Most deposits occur in the upper part of a sequence of felsic ?ows and heterolithic volcanoclastic rocks or at its contact with overlying chert and argillite-sand-stone. The Reforma and El Rey massive sul?de deposits are on the overturned limb of a major, thrusted anticline, and the Naranjo and El Largo massive sul?de deposits are to the south on the upright limb of the same major fold. The La Lucha and San Rafael massive sul?de occurrences are in an upper plate to the southwest which was thrusted over the plate containing the Naranjo and El Largo deposits. In several of the deposits, Au, Ag, Zn, and Pb are concentrated near the stratigraphic top, andCu is concentrated near the stratigraphic base. Major minerals are pyrite, quartz, ankerite, sphalerite,chalcopyrite, and galena. Minor minerals are tennantite-freibergite, arsenopyrite, and pyrrhotite. Goldand Ag occur in argentian gold, and Ag also occurs in tennantite-freibergite. The cumulative inferred resource of massive sul?de for the Reforma, Naranjo, El Rey, and El Largo deposits exceeds 30 Mt, with the latter two deposits incompletely delineated. Underlying pyrite-quartz stockwork zones contain chalcopyrite, chlorite, and sphalerite. Hydrothermal alteration minerals in the stratigraphic foot-wall are pyrite, quartz, chlorite, ferroan dolomite, and ankerite. In the stratigraphic hangingwall, hydrothermal alteration minerals are sericite, calcite-dolomite, and lesser clay minerals and quartz. The deposits belong to a low-sul?dation, volcanogenic massive sul?de system formed in a subaqueous environment, and are of the bimodal, siliciclastic type.

Jan 1, 1997

The value of processed materials of mineral origin was estimated to have exceeded $310 billion in 1990. U.S. raw nonfuel minerals mine production in 1990 was estimated at $33 billion, a 3.1 % increase over that of 1989. The value of minerals production increased in all but 3 of the last 30 years. The metals component of production value has fluctuated much more than the industrial minerals component. This reflects the greater volatility of metal prices. In 1990, total employment in metal mining continued the increase that began in 1987. This growth was partially offset by a slight decline in employment in industrial mineral mining, resulting in an overall in-crease of 1.1 % to 179,100 in 1990. Continuing high (by historical standards) metal prices led to expansions at some mines, as well as opening or reopening of additional mines, resulting in increased employment.

Jan 1, 1991

By H. G. Hedlund

Tailings in Mining Industry can be handled in different ways. Today tailings disposal is in focus by projecting new plants as well as treating and handling of old Tailings dams.The trend today is to process minerals, detoxify the Tailings and place them as dry surface Deposition or Underground Backfill. This paper will briefly present five different Mining plants in North and Central America, where Tailings have to be dewatered for dry depositing. The Metso-Sala VPA is a filter especially developed for dewatering and drying of Mineral Concentrate and Mineral Tailings. Keywords: tailings disposal, dewatering, drying, mineral tailings

Sep 1, 2012

By AIME AIME

ALMOST as many attended the annual dinner this year as last, when the presence of Mr. Hoover was such an attraction that almost two-thirds more than had ever attended before were present. Only by putting the late comers at tables in the balcony could everybody be accommodated. Past President De-Golyer was the toastmaster and in opening the post-prandial exercises referred to the regrettable fact that this was the last of the long series of dinners which have been held at the Waldorf, as the hotel will be torn down to give way to an office building before another year. To the delight of the gathering "Oscar" appeared and, in a delightfully brief but characteristic speech, referred to the long association that had existed and hinted that a new Waldorf-Astoria may arise, where the Institute could continue to gather annually in an enlarged replica of the room they had met in so long. Before taking up the presentation of the medals, Mr. DeGolyer referred to the Institute's "Legion of Honor," the 34 men who have been members continuously for over fifty years. For various reasons only five of them, W. S. Ayres, F. G. Corning, Henry D. Hibbard, A. F. Schneider and Arthur Thacher, could be present. They were all seated at the speaker's table, and W. S. Ayres, 56 years a member, as the dean of the group, was called on to respond for them all. He said: "The introduction I have just received would indicate that this particular group of men to which I belong is considered by the chairman to be a group of real antiques. Possibly you are questioning the accuracy of his judgment. I hope you are, although there may be some first-sight evidences tending to substantiate the view held by the chairman.

Jan 1, 1929

Argentina follows Venezuela and Mexico as the largest producers of crude petroleum and natural gas in Latin America. Argentina 1S practically self-sufficient in fuels, but relies substantially on imports for its supply of copper, iron ore, ferroalloys, sulfur, and fertilizers. Mining activity is limited and is in an incipient stage of growth, considering the country's potential for mining. Most nonfuel mineral output in 1979 consisted primarily of minerals used for construction, while only 9% are other nonmetallic, and 2% are metallic minerals. Argentina is Latin America's major producer of boron minerals and uranium (yellow cake). Mineral exports consist primarily of borates, uranium concentrates, and of late, some tin. These exports have in the past been shipped mostly to Great Britain. London banks have been involved in arranging financing for St. Joe Minerals Corp. IS planned development of the El Pachon copper deposit (see map), and were being counted upon to also back the development of large copper and manganese projects. The following is a review of Argentine mineral production in 1979: (For 1981, the production of boron minerals is put at 167,000 metric tons and uranium at 300,000 metric tons.)

Jan 1, 1982

By Jim Sarvinis, Mark Berkley, David Clarry, Jason Berzansky

"Technologies developed to sequester CO2 or use CO2 for enhanced fossil fuel recovery are currently being utilized across the globe. Taxation regimes and CO2 credit trading are becoming drivers for a number of projects. Some mining companies have also identified ancillary opportunity to sequester CO2 in their by-products; recent work in the alumina industry is a prime example. In addition to process plant emissions, mining companies are becoming increasingly aware of their overall carbon footprint, including CO2 generated during the production of utility power. New power plant designs, in various stages of development, include CO2 separation and sequestration techniques. This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art for these technologies; including integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants. A concept to use the gasification products as reductant in metallurgical processes is also described. The relevance of technology from power plant designs with post-combustion capture to the processing of off-gas generated in metallurgical facilities is also reviewed.IntroductionGlobalization and international economic growth have led to an increase in energy demand worldwide, and a corresponding increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2005, 81% of global energy supply came from fossil fuels [1]; and while alternative energy technologies are emerging, it will require many decades to curb society’s fossil fuel dependence. Given the global concern of climate change and its scientific relationship with anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2), there is at present great interest in the development of techniques to reduce emissions of CO2. While most of these efforts are related to power generation and energy efficiency, the development of technologies for CO2 capture may offer opportunities in reducing emissions from industrial processes."

Jan 1, 2008