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By BUREAU OF MINES

This report is submitted in accordance with the provisions of the Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act of April 5, 1944 (30 U.S C. 321-325, as amended), which require that: "The Secretary of the Interior shall render to Congress on or before the first day of January of each year a report on all operations under this Act." Owing to the broad scope of the content and the diversity of interests represented, the Annual Report for 1953 has been divided into two separate publications. Each has been published by the Bureau of Mines as a Report of Investigations, and the respective titles follow: R. I. 5043, Part I - 011 From Coal. R. I. 5044, Part II 011 From 011 Shale. - Identical in each report, the introduction summarizes research progress made in 1953 under the entire Synthetic Liquid Fuels program. A free copy of each of these publications may be obtained by a written request to the Bureau of Mines, Publications Distribution Section, 4800 Forbes Street, Pittsburgh 13, Pa. The R. I. number and title of the publication desired should be indicated.

Apr 1, 1954

By Yasumasa Hattori

An extensive study including fluid dynamic calculations, cold model tests, pilot plant tests as well as measurements in a commercial flash furnace was carried out in order to develop a new Sumitomo flash smelting concentrate burner. The pressure measurements in the commercial burner indicated that the premixing of the concentrate and reaction air in a burner was insufficient. Pilot plant tests showed that enhancement of the premixing of the concentrate and reaction air is very effective for improving the burner performance. Using the additional pressure drop of the reaction air as an indicator of the premixing, a new type Sumitomo premixed concentrate burner was developed.

Jan 1, 2003

By R. C. Adams

This report describes the feasibility of mining the oil shale deposits of the Piceance Creek basin in Colorado by an integrated open pit system. The study is based upon a comprehensive analysis of pertinent environmental, economic, and engineering factors. Ten mining cases are investigated, and the mine design and cost estimates for each case are presented in this report. Nine of the cases represent three cutoff grades, defining oil shale ore as equal to and above 15 gallons per ton (gpt), 20 gpt, and 25 gpt at three ore production levels of 500,000 tons per day (TPD), 1,250,000 TPD, and 2,500,000 TPD. The tenth case is an alternate design of the 500,000 TPD production rate at the above 15 gpt cutoff grade. The report consists of Volume I, a technical and cost comparison of the ten cases; Volume II-Part I, a detailed explanation of the estimating methods used; and Volume II-Part 2, a more detailed discussion of the technical and cost features of the ten cases than is presented in Volume I.

Jan 1, 1976

By Serge L. Delinois

President Kennedy said that before 1970 this country will send a man to the Moon and get him back on Earth safely. Today, no one doubts that his promise will become reality. He who asks "What, then, is next for us in space?" is no longer considered a dreamer. And one of the very first things he discovers in trying to answer this question is that in whatever does come next, geologists and mining engineers will play a prominent role. This will be true not only in the conquest of the Moon, but also in that of the whole solar system. After 1970, it is very likely that a permanent lunar camp will be established. This beachhead, supplied entirely from Earth, in the beginning, will gradually develop into a research complex where virtually all scientific disciplines are investigated.

Jan 1, 1966

By D. J. Allan, W. R. Wilson

For conventional aerospace aluminium alloys of the 2000 (copper) and 7000 (zinc, magnesium) series the recycling of process scrap from both metal suppliers and aircraft manufacturers is a well-established, worldwide industry. The recent introduction of a new family of alloys that incorporates lithium has posed a new challenge to the recycling industry owing to the high cost of lithium, its high reactivity to the atmosphere and to refractories and its absence from the specifications of all other registered alloys. Various process options for recycling have been identified, but vacuum distillation has been selected as the most cost-effective and technically feasible solution. Experimental work established that the separation of Li from AI-Li scrap is feasible and an industrial process has been designed. The economics of Li recovery are very sensitive to the AI-Li content of the feed material. Owing to the design of aerospace vehicle manufacturing plants it is expected that the swarf will be mixed with other alloys. A method of enriching this feed has been developed that is based on the control of swarf morphology by thermal and mechanical treatments as a precursor to eddy-current separation. After eddy-current separation and vacuum distillation small proportions of Li are retained in the AI residue. The effects of this on the properties of conventional AI-Si shape-casting alloys were investigated and safe threshold levels have been established.

Jan 4, 1993

By J. B. Morrow

BITUMINOUS COAL production for 1937 up to Nov. 27, was 400,000,000 ions, an increase of 3.43 per cent over the comparative period in 1936. The in- crease in consumption, however, was not so great as the increase in production. Stocks of coal, mostly in the hands of consumers, on Nov. 1 were 57,000,000 tons, compared to 44,400,000 tons at the same periods in 1936. The prospects were that both production and consumption for December, 1937, would be lower than for the corresponding month of 1936. , Anthracite production for the period ending Nov. 20 was 43,900,000 tons, com- pared to 48,500,000 tons for the corresponding period in 1936, or a decrease of 9.5 per cent. Production of mechanically loaded coal in. 1936 was approximately 57,000,000 tons, an increase of 17.5 per cent over

Jan 1, 1938

By J. T. Crawford

A comprehensive strategic planning model has been developed for the phosphate strip mining and chemical operations at White Springs, Florida. The computerized model covers ore body modeling, production simulation and financial analysis. Several innovative features in the model include using NPV techniques in ore body block economics, adapting the floating cone method to a floating template for generating dragline mining units automatically, using interactive graphics for designing mining units, and a dragline move economics algorithm for automatic scheduling of mining unit assignments and moves. Simulation of chemical plant production uses linear programming and concentrate inventory levels control mine operating schedules.

Jan 1, 1997

By Karl J. C. Harries

13.1. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ROYALTY CONTRACTUAL ONLY1

Jan 1, 2003

By Arno C. Fieldner, J. W. Paul, WALTER A. SELVIG

Many mine samples of coal are analyzed each year in the laboratories of the Bureau of Mines. The analyses are made in connection with investigations relating to fuels belonging to or for the use of the United States Government, the causes of accidents in coal mines, the geologic relations of coal beds, and the quality and the value of the coal and lignite in the public lands. The systematic collection and analysis of such samples in connection with fuel investigations was begun in 1904 at the Government fuel-testing plant at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. and was under the direction of the United States Geological Survey for six years. Descriptions of the coal samples collected between the beginning of this work, July 1, 1904, and the transfer of the fuel-testing and mine-accident investigations to the Bureau of Mines,July 1, 1910, were compiled and published in Bureau of Mines Bulletin 22.' Descriptions and analyses of samples collected during the fiscal years 1911 to 1913 were published in Bureau of Mines Bulletin 85.2 Descriptions and analyses of samples collected during the fiscal years 1913 to 1916 were published in Bureau of Mines Bulletin 123.3 The present bulletin presents analyses and descriptions of samples collected during the fiscal years 1916 to 1919. In order that the material in this bulletin may be used to supplement that presented in Bulletins 22, 85, and ,123, the same plan of geographical classi- fication has been followed, the analyses and descriptions of the samples being grouped in alphabetical order according to the State, county, and town near which the mines or prospects sampled are situated.

Jan 1, 1922

By F. H. Willcox

This publication is the third of a series of reports on hazards and the prevention of accidents at blast-furnace plants that is being published by the Bureau of Mines, Technical Paper 106a being the first and Technical Paper 136b the second of the series. This bulletin, which is arranged in three parts, treats of the causes and prevention of blast-furnace breakouts, explosions, and slips. The first part discusses blast-furnace breakouts, the hazards therefrom, causes, and features of furnace design and methods of operation that tend to prevent breakouts or lessen their number, and points out safety measures to be adopted. The second part takes up the theory and causes of gas explosions at blast-furnace plants and reviews the better methods in use for handling gas. The third part analyzes the causes of hanging and scaffolding in blast furnaces, with the resulting slips that frequently cause injury to the plant and danger to the workmen, describes features of construction and furnace design and methods of operation employed to prevent hanging and slipping, and suggests precautions and safeguards.

Jan 1, 1917

By Edgar C. Bain

A NUMBER probably a sizable group of person with a dominant interest in metals maintain contact with the developments in ferrous metallurgy by reading week by week, as time permits, some four or five periodical devoted in considerable part to this field. It seems possible that some of these, like ourself, find it difficult to see the net results of the development day by day in clear perspective, The impression sometimes seems blurred by the uninterrupted succession of so many accounts, or out of focus from the very impact of so many reports of new things enthusiastic, well written, and understandable though they usually are. It is at times almost as though one were trying to observe, from a fastmoving vehicle, objects all too near at hand. Or perhaps this impression is merely a manifestation of our individual hyperopia ; in which case we should content ourself with an observation that it would be more satisfactory on the whole to discuss in 1941 the metallurgical advances of 1930-35 than those of

Jan 1, 1941

By Steven R. Davis

Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota, and a 30-mile radius area of influence on the United States side of the International Border, was examined for hardrock (nonferrous metallic minerals and diamonds) mineral potential and environmental sensitivity by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The investigation also included an analysis of current Metallic Minerals Leasing Rules of the State of Minnesota, and the probable effects of changes proposed to the current rules by the State of Minnesota in order to "encourage mineral exploration and development." The study has determined that the proposed changes to the Minnesota State Leasing rules will have minimal, if any, impact on the likely, foreseeable levels of mineral-related activities in the State as a whole, and particularly, in the area of influence to the Park. Voyageurs National Park management was advised on the extent and character of the proposed rules changes, and on those items of concern meriting a specific and timely response by the National Park Service.

Jan 1, 1994

By R. D. Pehlke

The history and present status of continuous casting of steel are reviewed, including a genera 1 description of current processes. Plant layout, process development and elements of machine component design are outlined, and key steps in integration into a stee-1 production system are detailed. Recent productivity advances and improvements in quality are described. Process developments are reviewed, and some future avenues for this technology are considered.

Jan 1, 1985

By Terry Muldoon

In conventional noncoal, room-and-pillar mining, the cutting machine is frequently a major source of airborne dust. Water is often used for dust control. An evaluation of typically used water systems during this program showed that they reduced dust levels by 60 to 70 percent over dry cutting when at least 0.5 gpm of water was applied. These systems, however, are only marginally effective in maintaining compliance levels and the added moisture causes operational problems. During the program, three additional dust control systems were designed, fabricated, and evaluated. The first, a hollow cutter bar, was designed to capture dust in the kerf at the cutting zone. The system was only marginally effective in reducing dust levels due to its lack of control of other sources. Large quantities of material captured by the system made it operationally questionable. The second, a machine mounted exhaust system, was extremely effective in capturing virtually all the dust generated in the heading. The captured dust was ducted out of the heading and exhausted downstream in the crosscut. Exhausting the dust without scrubbing, however, creates problems for personnel working downstream of the cutting machine. Successful application would require changes to the mine ventilation system and mining sequence. The third, foam, injected foam from an onboard generator through a channel to the cutting zone at the tip of the bar. Test results showed that foam, using 1/3 to 1/2 the total fluid quantity, was equally effective when compared to the mine's current water system.

Jan 1, 1983

By V. “Ram” Ramachandran

"In view of the increasing number of environmental regulations that have been promulgated all over the world in the last thirty years, non-ferrous smelters and refineries have had to learn and adapt to treating process bleed waste streams containing heavy metals. The result of such treatment invariably yields a gypsum-saturated solution containing salts such as alkali metal sulfates, chlorides and fluorides. Presence of anions such as sulfates, chlorides and fluorides in the discharge streams – presently not a major problem- are coming under increasing scrutiny and will have to be addressed in the near future. It is envisaged that discharge limits for sulfate ions will be in place in the near future. Treatment of brackish water to produce drinking water also results in brine streams containing alkali salts that have to be addressed for proper disposal. This paper reviews treatment options for such streams containing high levels of total dissolved solids with emphasis on sulfate removal. Areas covered would be: a) chemical treatment for removal of various constituents that make up the total dissolved solids b) processes for sulfate removal processes –thermal and non-thermal-to recover and reuse of treated water and c) brine use and treatment options.INTRODUCTIONThe rising cost of water and meeting the ever-changing stringent environmental discharge regulations make water recycling and reuse essential. The metallurgical industry has used water as a medium for dissolving and/or rejecting metals and chemicals in addition to removing thermal energy. Any excess process effluent is collected and sent to end-of-pipeline treatment and ultimately discharged to surface water for disposal under a permit. The conventional- and probably the cheapest way -of treating metal-bearing process effluent streams is lime neutralization followed by sulfide polishing for elimination of heavy metals to produce a stream that meets NPDES discharge limits. This results in a stream containing dissolved solids.These dissolved solids normally comprises of inorganic salts. The possible constituents are cations calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. The anions are sulfate, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, carbonate and bicarbonate. In addition to these constituents, the treated effluent streams contain very small amounts of heavy metals, oxyanions such as arsenites, arsenates, selenites and selenates. Process streams from gold operations contain residual cyanide. Small amounts of ammonium ions are also present in these streams based on the pH of the solution."

Jan 1, 2012

By Rob Boom, Yasuyuki Tozaki, Greg Traquair

The objectives of the business case are to examine a proposed metallurgical project and answer fundamental questions about project feasibility, risks, opportunities, and value. A business case fulfills these basic functions: estimates economic value; helps to understand competitiveness; serves as a risk management tool; and serves as a communication tool. A business case evolves with the project life cycle, and supports the gate reviews at the end of each phase of engineering, through to project construction and operations. A business case must be holistic, including all elements of scope that can impinge on project risk and value.

Jan 1, 2015

By D. T. Pritchard

"Introduction""No accounting system is very good, and all of them are infinitely variable*.”The purpose of this chapter is to discuss those facets of a typical accounting system which are most commonly encountered by operating managers in mineral processing plants. However, before concentrating in any detail on these it is important to understand the broad purposes and basic techniques of any accounting system in any major business.The three broad purposes of an Accounting System are:- Administering, controlling, and recording the flow of cash in and out of the business. Cash is, of course, converted into other assets (or stores of value) such as inventory, plant and equipment, etc. These assets also have to be administered, controlled and recorded.- Internal reporting to Management for information, for control, and for use in making business plans and decisions. - External reporting to stockholders, government, lenders and other outside parties.In this chapter we shall organize our discussion of accounting practice in mineral processing plants around these three purposes of accounting and focus in some detail on specific practices and techniques with which operating personnel will be routinely involved. This chapter is divided into the following: Accounting Basics; Administration, Control and Recording of Cash Flows; Internal Reporting; Planning and Budgeting; Cost Control; and External Reporting."

Jan 1, 1989

By Mahesh C. Meyer Jha

AMAX has developed a chloride refining process to produce pure nickel and cobalt metals from mixed sulfide .precipitates, Metal chloride solutions, generated in a hydrochloric acid leaching step and purified in a solvent extraction circuit, are converted to metal oxides .and HCI gas by pyrohydrolysis. A pilot plant consisting of a 30-inch diameter fluidized bed reactor and other ancillary units was designed, constructed, and operated for over one year. Process design was aimed at minimizing energy consumption, maximizing conversion efficiency, and achieving simplicity of operation and control. The operation provided valuable information on process scale up parameters, process control strategies, and materials of construction., Several process variables such as bed temperature, solution composition, solution feeding system, bed particle size distribution, and fines recycle system were investigated to determine their effects on process efficiency and the physical and chemical characteristics of the product.

Jan 1, 1985

By E. D. Gardner

This is one of a series of papers describing mining and related subjects affecting mining in western mining districts and mineralized areas. The parts of this paper pertaining to current production, mining and milling methods and practices, and general conditions affecting mining were collected principally during a field survey made in May 1935. Some original data obtained on previous visits to the area are also included. The history, geological background, and past production of the mines and district are largely abstracted from previous publications, for which due credit is given later in the test. The principal districts in the Black Mountains are the Oatman or San Francisco and the Union Pass or Katherine. This range contains the principal producing mines of the State, in which gold is the only important metal. Although the total production of gold is relatively small as compared to other districts where the precious metals are obtained as a by-product in copper min¬ing, the area is one of considerable economic importance to the State.

Jan 1, 1936

By AIME AIME

THE first fall meeting of the new Coal Division started on time on Thursday morning, Sept. 11, at Pittsburgh, with Paul Sterling of the Anthracite Section presiding and over a hundred members and guests in the room. The attendance increased from session to session, the total registration being 248. Excellent arrangements had been made by the officers of the Division covering all features of the meeting, the only drawback being that more papers-were listed for presentation than could be discussed in the time available. Howard-N. Evensong, chairman of the Division, explained this situation as sore and sore papers case in by likening it to the case of the small boy who wanted a second niece of pie at the end of a large seal. When his mother remonstrated that if he ate any more he would certainly burst, the young man replied, "Well, you just hand over the pie and then get out of the way." With that Mr. Evensong turned the meeting over to Mr. Sterling, who handled it so well that with ample discussion it was still possible to adjourn at lunch time, all but the group of junior papers having been heard. This series of papers, the output of the .very lively Junior Section organized last spring by the younger men of the Division was regretfully put over until Friday morning, when that on "Heat Drying" by S.. M. Parsley was read.

Jan 1, 1930