Search Documents

Geophysical Abstracts 1 - 86 wore issued in mimeographed form by the Bureau of Mines; Abstracts 87 - 111 were published in bulletins of the Geological Survey; Abstracts 112 - 119 were issued in mimeographed form by the Bureau of Mines as Information it ion Circulars 7256, 7257, 7267, 7273, 7285, 7292, 7303, and 7310. 1. GRAVITATIONAL METHODS 7786. Barton, D. C.3/ Case Histories and Quantitative Calculations in Gravimotric Prospecting. Am. Inst. Min. and Meat. Eng., New York, Tech. Pub. 1760, 1944, 49 pp.

Jan 1, 1945

By L Alem

In the field of mineral extraction, complex technologies are being introduced in mines, operators/technicians rely on assistance from an expert (or more) in order to keep their machines functioning. Personnel with such expertise, however, are not always physically on-site. There is a growing need for innovative technological solutions to support effective delivery, just in time, of remote guidance between an offsite expert and an on-site maintenance operator. To meet this need, we have, as part of our Human System Integration project within the CSIRO’s Minerals Down Under (MDU), Transforming the Future Mine theme, explored the usefulness of a number of emerging technologies including: augmented reality, wearable systems and touch table interfaces. This paper presents ReMoTe, an augmented realty system for remote guiding using a touch table interface for the expert station and a combination of augmented reality and a wearable system at the operator end. In designing this system we were interested in exploring the extent to which it can increase the productivity and safety of maintenance personnel. This paper also presents Mobile ReMote, our recent development of a fully mobile remote guiding system. In Mobile ReMote, both the expert and the operator are using a near eye display and wearing a light computer in a back pack. The expert is able to guide the operator using his/her hands on the virtual display, while the operator is able to see the instructions on the rear eye display. Workers in the mining industry are highly mobile, a mobile expert and operator station will meet this need.

Nov 22, 2011

By Albert H. Fay, Herbert M. Wilson

The national mine-safety demonstration at Pittsburgh, Pa., was projected and undertaken in the hope that it would aid the increase of safety in the mining industry. That the national mine-safety demonstration was warranted and has served a useful purpose was evidenced by the attendance, not only at the public demonstration in Forbes Field, but also at the more special exhibit of the work of the Bureau of Mines at the arsenal grounds and at the experimsntal. mine. Nearly 2,000 persons witnessed the demonstrations and exhibits of the Bureau of Mines at the arsenal grounds on the morning of October 30, 1911. The spectators were all mine operators, miners, or persons interested in mining, and represented operations in all parts of the United States. Nearly 1,200 of these persons visited the bureau's experimental mine at Bruceton to witness ~th~explosion of coal dust. Had the weather, which was exceptionally inclement, been more favorable, there would doubtless have been a much larger attendance. At the public demonstration in Forbes Field, which· was witnessed by President Taft, from 12,000 to 15,000 persons, chiefly mining men, were present and attested their interest and enthusiasm in the minesafety exhibits by remaining throughout the proceedings, regardless of the rain which fell all the morning .. Sincethis demonstration, the organization of first-aid corps and of rescue corps has been undertaken at mines where there had previously been no such organizations. The bureau has received letters of commendation attesting the value of the demonstration in drawing· attention to the dangers and to possible means of greater safety in mining. Many of these letters have urged that the results of the demonstration be published for the guidance and instruction of those who were present. In response to these reauests the following account of the mine- BlIIeLY demonstration lias been prepared. IIi its preparation various division and section chiefs of the Bureau of Mines have cooperated. The authors acknowledge the assistance they have received from those section chiefs and other members of the bureau who contributed detailed descriptions of apparatus exhibited at the demonstration or of investigations represented.

Jan 1, 1912

By David D. Hottinger

Only a minimum amount of illumination is generally provided for many types of mobile surface mining equipment. This condition presents a hazard to operating personnel working on and around such equipment. To reduce this hazard MSHA has proposed safety regulations requiring minimum levels of illumination for hazardous zones on and in the immediate area surrounding surface mining equipment. This report describes a Bureau of Mines sponsored project demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of providing dragline illumination in compliance with the proposed MSHA regulations. A description of the computer aided design, on site installation and field evaluation of individual lighting systems for each of three different size draglines is presented

Jan 1, 1981

By G. H. Lewis

This work was completed in a 440 KW pilot-scale combustor in preparation for a 50,000 Kg/hr industrial steam boiler limestone injection test program. The main objectives of the work were to: (1) identify the variables which affect sulfur capture, (2) determine the maximum sulfur removal, and (3) determine the effect of limestone addition on furnace operability and heat transfer. The variables which were identified as being important in sulfur capture were: Ca/S molar ratio, flue gas temperature at the limestone injection location, and limestone particle residence time. The maximum sulfur dioxide removal was 72%. The addition of limestone increased the particle deposition rate in the combustor; however, all deposits were easily removed by an air lance.

Jan 1, 1985

By William A. Faust

La Colorada Mine was begun in 1993 as a small heap leach mine and was the first operation for Eldorado Gold Corporation. 'This paper describes the growth of the mine to annual production levels near 60,000 ounces of gold and highlights recent improvements that were made to maintain a profitable operation by efficiency gains and cost containment programs.

Jan 1, 1998

By H. Herbert Hughes

Soapstone commonly is associated with talc , and reports on either commodity usually contain a discussion of the other . From a geological or mineralogical standpoint the combination is justifiable , for soapstone essentially is impure talc . Commercially , however , the relation between them is remote . About 95 per cent of all talc sold in the United States is in ground form, whereas practically all soapstone is sold as furnace blocks or as fabricated structural slabs for many and diverse applications .

Feb 1, 1932

By Angela Binder, Mareike Schubert, Yichen Jiang, Sandra Nowosad, Oliver Langefeld

GermanyINTRODUCTIONThe mining industry is currently characterized by various factors such as environmental impact, resource scarcity, social responsibility and geopolitical uncertainty. The production of minerals required to meet the demand for renewable energy is expected to increase by 500 % by 2050, particularly for critical minerals such as graphite, lithium and cobalt 1. Easily accessible deposits are often depleted, meaning that deeper and more complex deposits need to be developed. Furthermore, investors’ value systems have shifted towards more sustainable practices. Alternative approaches to solving this problem are therefore currently being developed, such as the Modular Mining Systems concept for scalable and adaptable mining projects 2. Many mining companies have also taken important steps to become more sustainable, implementing measures such as proactive closure strategies, restoration programs and the development of renewable energy projects. In the European Union, laws such as the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Net Zero Industry Act support the mining industry 3,4. They see it as important for the energy transition and promote more sustainable ways of working in the industry Particularly negative environmental impacts such as land degradation, scarcity of local water resources, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are ingrained in society’s memory. Despite these efforts, the public image has not yet changed. To change this perception, the industry must strive to better communicate its sustainable practices and the steps it is taking towards a more responsible and sustainable future, promote transparency and build trust.Digitalization, automation and electrification are driving the digital transformation in mining. However, their implementation can lead to higher capital expenditure, limiting their adoption across the industry. Furthermore, implementing new technologies can be a daunting task for any organization. Change management comes into play when introducing such disruptive technologies. It involves preparing an organization for change, potential resistance and establishing effective communication. This helps to ensure that the implementation is successful and the benefits of the new technology are maximized. Digital transformation requires well-trained, young mining, electrical, mechatronic and software engineers with a deep understanding of information systems. Unfortunately, the industry faces the enormous challenge of attracting this younger generation, who have little interest in the extraction of raw materials. The need for action is compounded by an aging active workforce heading into retirement and the forecast of increasing demand for critical minerals.In this challenging environment, the concept of Blue Mining with its constant further developments represents a promising approach. This implies a shift from a linear to a sustainably oriented circular economy. For the mining industry, this specifically means the introduction of innovative technologies, the increased recovery of materials from waste and the consistent questioning and application of circular principles along the entire life cycle of a mine. Such a change can not only reduce the environmental impact, but also contribute to economic resilience and increased social acceptance of mining.

Feb 1, 2025

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 Daryl R. Tweeton

Bureau of Mines research in in situ uranium leaching includes injection well construction and environmental aspects. Clogging of injection wells is a common problem, and is affected by construction techniques. Part of the clogging can be caused by a low-permeability skin left on the borehole wall if the drilling fluids are not thoroughly flushed out. Certain polymer drilling fluids are less prone to cause clogging than bentonite muds, since a lower solids content can be used. The environmental research primarily involves two contracts. The first describes the environmental impact of in situ leaching and the effect of environmental legislation on leaching; the second describes the cost effectiveness of various methods of restoring ground water quality.

Jan 1, 1978

By W B. Gregg

"A review, update, and expansion of Thiokol’s presentation at BAl’s Fiih High Tech Seminar titled ‘ADetonator - An Era of Precision in All-Electronic Detonators” is provided herein (and should be considered as a supplement to that publication). Thiokol is currently in the development and field evaluation phase of activities for our ACCUBLASTTM all-electronic detonator. The ACCUBLASTTM detonator uses a semiconductor bridge (an electronic match) in place of a conventional hot wire to initiate a safer, less sensitive material, titanium subhydride potassium perchlorate. The device is programmable to provide blast delays in one millisecond increments ranging from 1 to 500 milliseconds. The ACCUBLASTTM detonator combines an all-electronic programmable timer coupled with a semiconductor bridge to ensure detonation timing accuracy with +I00 microsecond precision. Initial development and field testing have been completed. These tests have verified ACCUBLASTTM detonators’ precision."

Jan 1, 1995

By Joel Lööw, Jan Johansson, Erik Lund

Digitalization and automation technology offer new possibilities to increase productivity and obtain higher levels of autonomy in mining operations. Introducing autonomous systems into mining is not only a technical problem in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, nor a problem of safety in human-automation interactions. The systems also need to be designed and developed so that they foster healthy and attractiveworking environments. The design and development phase of newmining technology has not been extensively studied previously. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated technology developers’ basic assumptions about humans and their interactions with the technology they develop. We conducted five semi-structured workshops within an EU funded project concerned with developing digitalization and automation solutions for the mining industry. The data suggests that many critical functions will still be under human control in future mining systems. The results also indicate increased complexity in the interaction between autonomous systems and humans as the technology becomes more advanced. As a result, we suggest that a human perspective, based on sociotechnical principles, should not only be considered in implementing the technology at mines but also in the early conceptual phases of developing and designing the technology. This will ensure healthy and attractive work environments in the future mining industry.

Mar 26, 2024

By N. A. Sithole, S. A. C. Hockaday, P. J. A. Bezuidenhout

The Northern Cape Province in South Africa has high levels of annual direct normal solar irradiance and reserves of zinc (Zn) ores. The question arises as to the benefits of integrating renewable solar energy into the beneficiation routes of these reserves. The paper evaluates a novel flowsheet for the production and beneficiation of Zn in this region, maximising localised solar energy as a source for both electricity and process heat. Solar variability is discussed and the cost and benefits of thermal storage in the flowsheets are evaluated by its influence on the levelised costs of electricity and process energy over the project life-time at a possible implementation site. The results of the developed scoping model showed that solar photovoltaic integration to provide electricity for electrowinning without battery storage can lead to more than 10% cost saving on electricity over the lifetime of the project. Additional savings potential was identified when battery storage was included to enable the solar PV system to supply electricity during peak tariff periods. The solar thermal case showed the most promise with savings of 70% on heating costs for casting, while solar PV electricity without storage resulted in a 16% cost saving on heating for casting over the lifetime of the project. Solar PV electricity generation resulted in the avoidance of more than 20% of CO2 emissions from grid electricity use. Solar thermal heating can avoid up to 80% of the CO2 emissions associated with grid electricity use for remelting of Zn cathodes for casting. The CO2 emissions are indirect and not subject to South African carbon tax. Keywords: Solar process energy, zinc beneficiation, flowsheet evaluation

Jan 1, 2020

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

By A. E. Sands

This report deals with a portion of the research and development work in the field of synthesis gas purification, carried out by the Bureau of Mines at its Morgantown, W, Va., Station in cooperation with West Virginia University. The Bureau's work in connection with gas purification has been performed with the objective of finding effective, low-cost, processes for removing impurities from synthesis gas to protect the catalyst used in the Fischer-Tropsch process for production of liquid fuels. Synthesis gas used for the production of other chemicals, such as ammonia, alcohols, and methane, requires equally rigorous purification. Although present-day practice in the manufactured-gas industry does not require such a high degree of purification, there is increasing interest in the complete removal of sulfur compounds from city gas. Although the gas-purification work at Morgantown deals with several impurities, major effort has been devoted to organic sulfur compounds in gas; this paper represents a progress report on some of the more important studies in connection with those compounds. Because this is a progress report on the Bureau's experimental work, no attempt has been made to cover the work of others on the subject; references to the literature have been restricted to those bearing directly on the work described.

Jan 1, 1950

By Sarkis G. Ampian

Crystalline silica (quartz, cristobalite, and tridyrnite) is regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) because of its potential for causing debilitating but nonmalignant lung diseases. In 1987, the International Agency for Research Against Cancer (IARC) conducted a review of the health literature and concluded that crystalline silica was a probable human carcinogen. As a result of this finding, OSHA was required to regulate crystalline silica under its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The standard requires that all materials handled by OSHA-regulated facilities be labeled according to the requirements of RCS and that workers receive proper training on the handling of the material if the crystalline silica content equals or exceeds 0.1 weight percent (0.1 %). MSHA currently is considering enacting its own RCS. This will be similar to OSHA's RCS. If the standard is enacted, most mineral producers will have to determine the respirable monitor filter and bulk crystalline silica contents of their ores and products so that workers and/or customers will know whether they are in compliance with the 0.1% HCS and/or the OSHA permissible exposure level (PEL) of 50 µg for an 8-hour workday for respirable crystalline silica as determined from monitor samples. Two major concerns with the RCS are the widespread occurrence of crystalline silica in nature and the suitability of current technology for routinely determining crystalline silica concentrations at the 0.1 % RCS level. Most ores are extracted from silica-bearing deposits and it is a common constituent of rocks and soils. OSHA's RCS will have the greatest impact on the producers of crushed stone, diatomite, dimension stone, gravel, industrial sand, perlite, pumice, pyrophyllite, sand, and talc because these materials frequently are shipped directly from the mill to the customer. MSHA's RCS would affect nearly all mineral producers. Those producers that have crystalline silica present in concentrations near the 0.1 % cutoff point will have the most difficulty with the analysis. Crystalline silica can be quantified at the 0.1 % level by X-ray diffractometry in simple systems containing one, two, and possibly three minerals if (1) none of the accessory minerals has X-ray diffraction reflections that coincide or overlap with those of crystalline silica and (2) the standard has a particle size distribution and crystallinity similar to those of the sample. In some instances, it may not be possible to determine the crystalline silica content of a sample with any degree of certainty using the recommended regulatory protocol. In all cases, it is recommended that a qualified mineralogist identify the minerals in a sample prior to any regulatory analysis. Additionally, the uncertainty as to whether some silica polymorphs should be classified as crystalline or noncrystalline and the suitability of metastable high-temperature standards, such as cristobalite and tridyrnite, for regulatory analysis at ambient temperatures should be addressed further. This overview is written both to highlight these problems and to serve as a guide for analysts, regulators, and industry personnel who are involved in the crystalline silica issue. It also covers some of the difficulties and/or shortcomings in quantifying crystalline silica, such as the ubiquitous mineral quartz, in the workplace.

Jan 1, 1992

By Aurel Goodwin

I chose the title "Let's Clear the Air" for this afternoon's presentation because it has two meanings, the literal and the figurative. Most of you know what MSHA is. Most of you know what MSHA does. And, for the most part, most of you know why. What I hope to accomplish today is to "clear the air" around our health standards, to clarify for you how MSHA views its congressional mandate under Title I Section 101(a)(6), (7), and (9) of the Mine Safety and Health Act. Asbestos, silica, radiation, noise, welding fumes, carbon monoxide, lead, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide - the list of physical and chemical hazards encountered in the metal and nonmetal mining industry is as diversified as the industry itself, possibly even more so. In addition, miners are often exposed to several of these health hazards simultaneously.

Jan 1, 1980

Surface mining and reclamation of a southeastern Ohio site with sandstone-shale overburden resulted in (as compared to premining levels): 1) runoff volumes and peak rates that increased by a factor of from 2 to 10 during mining and after reclamation, 2) destruction of the "aquifer" perched on the underclay of the mined coal bed and gradual, but, as yet incomplete redevelopment of this aquifer after reclamation, 3) no immediate effect on another, lower perched "aquifer", 4) up to 100 times greater sediment concentrations in runoff. Results were influenced by increasing annual precipitation amounts through the period of record; 1978, 1979, and 1980 (postreclamation years) experienced precipitation amounts approaching or exceeding long-term normalcy for the area. Part of the reason that the site produced more runoff after reclamation than before mining is that the premine condition was one of an open, porous soil under woodland, while the postreclamation condition was one of a compacted, bulldozed soil. Sediment concentration results were influenced by failure of the postreclamation erosion control system and by a series of detention reservoirs above the stream monitoring station.

Jan 1, 1983

By Dan Currie, Tom Lamb, J. Coady Marsh, Gary Landry

"This paper describes the Cape Breton Development Corporation's experience with the Lovat M-300 tunnel-boring machine at the Donkin-Morien Mine. Between January 3 and December 21, 1984, the 7.6 m (25 It) diameter TBM advanced 3350 m (10 990 ft) . The authors will describe experiences with the machine and highlight the implications of tunnelling machines to underground coal mine development in Canada. IntroductionThe Cape Breton Development Corporation (CBDC) has recently completed the drivage of a 7.6 m (25 ft) diameter tunnel, 3.5 km (2.2 miles) in length , to access the Harbour Coal Seam at the Donkin-Morien Project. The tunnel was successfully driven with the first Canadian rock tunnel-boring machine (RTBM or TBM), designed and built by Lovat Tunnel Equipment, Inc. The initial mine development consists of the drivage of two tunnels to the first major coal seam. Future plans are proposed for the development of a 4 million tonne-per-year mine (Marsh et al., 1983, Gillman, 1982), which will require the drivage of a further two tunnels and could access up to four coal seams. The tunnel cross-sectional areas were designed to provide sufficient ventilation area and access for a production of 4 million tonnes per year."

Jan 1, 1986

By W. E. Kuhn

Introduction The work, of which some of the results are described in this paper, was started with the object of investigating the properties of certain binary alloys of titanium made from powders. Our main interest was in the possible use of such alloys in gas turbines. We were attracted to titanium, as have been others, by its high melting point (I,724° ± 11°C.), its low density (4.54), and the likelihood that, if a relatively wide use could be found for the metal, it might become available in commercial quantities at a fairly reasonable price. The readiness with which the metal reacts with hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen was recognized from the very beginning. At the same time there seemed a good chance that alloys could be produced which, because of the formation of protective films, would resist the attack of these and other corrosive agents. No specifications were drafted to cover the 'quality' of the titanium hydride powder which was used in our work and which was, to judge by the results of a few preliminary experiments, the most useful source of titanium then (1944) available in sufficient amount for our purpose. During the course of our work, the need for such specifications became very clear (see Sections 9 to 12 of this pa per). Even today, lack of knowledge regarding the effects on titanium of impurities, some of which may later be looked upon as essential elements in commercial alloys of titanium, and difficulties in manufacture, make the preparation of specifications for commercial titanium and titanium compounds a doubtful procedure. The papers presented at the 1948 Symposium on Titanium, sponsored by the U.S. Office of Naval Research lend colour to this view. At the time our work was commenced, one had to depend upon the manufacturer to supply what he considered to be his 'best' material. It may be some time before we can ask for more than this, the question as to what is his 'best' being left to the manufacturer to decide. However, in this connection the results of our study may be of some value and on that account we are constrained to publish them.

Jan 1, 1950