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By W. D. Mcmillan

Although the Shafter district of Presidio County, Tex., is principally renowned for silver production from the Presidio mine, the occurrence of lead-zinc ores in the western part of the district has been known for at least 50 years, and there has been some production. An area of about 3 square miles in the vicinity of an extending westward from the Presidio mine was investigated in detail by C. P. Ross of the Federal Geological Survey in 1934. In the fall of 1943, A. B. Needham, an engineer of the Bureau of Mines, called the attention of the Geological Survey to the area west of that included in Ross's map, and requested a detailed investigation of that area by the Survey in advance of development by the Bureau of Mines. After a brief reconnaissance by the Survey in the spring of 1944, detailed studies were made by Federal geologists in the summer of 1944, during which about 450 acres were surveyed, on a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet. Recommendations for the exploration of certain parts of the area were made in the accompanying report.

Jan 1, 1949

By George T. Faust

The petrographic microscope plays an important role in the mineral dressing of nonmetallic materials. Petrographers and mineral technologists have evinced an interest in the technique developed, specifically, for mineral-dressing problems. The following dissertation makes the informa¬tion more generally available. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are indebted to O. C. Ralston, chief engineer, Nonmetals Division, and to Will H. Coghill, supervising engineer of the Southern Experiment Station for a critical reading of the manuscript. They are also indebted to their colleagues for technical information obtained in the course of cooperative work, in particular to J. B. Clemmer for the use of the data on fluorite.

Jan 1, 1940

By M. C. Malamphy

A general description of the activities and results of bauxite investigation by the Bureau of Mines at its bauxite project in Saline and Pulaski Counties, Ark., has been given in Report of Investigations 4251. The factual data obtained during the project are reported in a series of Reports of Investigations beginning with No. 4251, of which this is the third. The data are accompanied by maps showing the location of holes drilled and deposits developed. Each area upon which work was done is reported by half townships. Each bauxite deposit investigated was assigned a name and a number for ready reference and identification, and its location and name are shown on the appropriate half-township-map. The description of each half township is followed by a description of each deposit developed in that half township.

Jan 1, 1948

By William H. King

The property of the Cupric Mines Co. is situated in the San Francisco mining district, Beaver County, Utah, 21 miles westerly from Milford (fig. 1), the rail and supply center for the area. Scheelite mineralization was not discovered until 1941, although the occurrence of lead and copper minerals had been known previously. S. VI. Hobbs, of the Federal Geological Survey, examined the Cupric property in November 1941 and prepared topographic and geologic maps of the area. This work was supplemented by additional investigations in January 1943 and March 1944 (fig. 2).

Jan 1, 1949

By E. Morrice

The Bureau of Mines investigated methods for beneficiating platinum-palladium ores from the Stillwater Complex, Montana. Results of bench-scale and pilot-scale studies employing froth flotation to recover sulfide concentrates containing platinum-palladium values from a serpentinized ore are presented. Best results in the pilot mill were obtained with a sodium isobutyl xanthate-normal dodecyl mercaptan col-lector combination at a natural pH of 8.2. A rougher concentrate con-taining 1.7 oz/ton Pt and 4.7 oz/ton Pd was prepared. Recoveries of platinum and palladium were 96 pet and 86 pet, respectively. Batch cleaner flotation of rougher concentrates yielded concentrates contain-ing 3.7 oz/ton Pt and 9.8 oz/ton Pd.

Jan 1, 1984

"For a good many years the Bureau of Mines and various state mining experi¬ment stations have endeavored to develop some method of utilizing the immense deposits of lignite in the United States. Work in relent year has indicated that the best method of this is to drive off the moisture and most of the volatile water from the lignite in some form of carbonizing apparatus leaving a residue high in fixed carbon and low in moisture and volatile matter, which by briquetting can be made into a high-grade fuel. The earlier forms of carbonizing equipment tried were complicated, costly to build and keep in repair, and could not be operated intermittently without being seriously damaged. During the year 1922, however the Bureau of Mines devised a very simple carbonizing oven which produces a uniformly well carbonized product. This oven is essentially a vertical shaft with means for supplying raw lignite at the top and discharging the carbonized limited at the lower end. Air in regulated amount is admitted to the shaft at two horizons, and a zone of combustion maintained through which the column of lignite passes. The lignite is thus carbonized by construction of its contained matter and a small proportion of its fixed carbon, leaving most of the fixed carbon in the carbonized product or ""char"". The degree of carbonization can be closely controlled by varying the volume of air supplied to the oven and the rate of travel of the charre down the shaft.The ""lignite char"" produced is a soft material resembling charcoal more than coal or coke, but somewhat harder than charcoal. A typical analysis is shown in the table headed ""Fuels,"" further on in this papers."

Feb 1, 1924

By L. A. Panek, A. J. Barry, John A. McCormick

"INTRODUCTION During recent years, roof bolting has become widely accepted as a systematic method of supporting both coal- and metal-mine roofs. Today, over 2 million roof bolts are installed monthly. Most of the information on bolt installation procedure reported to date (1,2,3,4,5,6) 3/ has been obtained by trial and error by individual groups or operators. To insure good roof control, experience and field tests have indicated that roof bolts should be installed immediately after the exposure of new roof, and they should be preloaded enough to minimize sag of the roof over the opening. The question of the proper initial preload for roof bolts is under study, although it is a general practice to impose an initial load on a bolt of approximately 10,000 pounds. This created a problem of measuring bolt loads at installations in underground mines, which was partly solved by using a commercial-type torque wrench; a device that permits a direct reading of the torque applied to the nut on a roof-bolt assembly from which the corresponding load can be determined by referring to specifications furnished by the manufacturers. However, considerable apprehension was expressed regarding the accuracy of this measuring procedure because of variations in the manufacture of roof-bolting materials and the degree of care exercised in making bolt installations. In the process of loading a bolt, only a small part of the effort is expended in producing strain in the bolt - the larger part of the effort is used in overcoming frictional effects in the nut-bolt-washer assembly. These frictional effects are subject to many factors, such as condition of threads, type of lubrication, if any, the finish on the nut and bearing plate, and the alinement of the bearing plate on the bolt. The object of this investigation was to determine the accuracy with which the load developed in a slotted-type roof bolt installed in a conventional manner in shale or sandstone roof rock can be determined from the torque applied to the nut.This report is the first of a series relating to basic research in roof bolting in underground mines. A future report will cover results obtained using expansion-type bolts under similar conditions. Other reports will consider the efficiency of bolt anchorages, the long period stability of bolts, and the design of safe and efficient roof-bolting systems."

May 1, 1953

By Robert J. Anderso

Few elements have received more attention and developed greater interest in the last ten years than titanium. The substantially pure metal has been din...ie. cult to isolate, and so far has been little employed oommercially, but the use af alloys and chemical compounds of titanium has increased markedly in recent years. The earlier attempts at preparing pure titanium resulted in various impure forme which, from their metallic appearance, were always mistaken for the metal. Hunter in 1910 isolated pure titanium by the reduction of titanium tetrachloride with sodium. This brief statement is issued by the Bureau of Mines in response to numerous inquiries which have been received concerning titanium. More complete in. formation on the metal may be had by consulting the referenpes appended. The Literature is voluminous and only the more important references are Riven. It has been drawn upon freely in preparing this report; also information was supplied by M. g. Hunter, Arthur Braid, M 1. Schmid, C. M. Johnson, N. B. Hoffman, and de Courny Browne. The pioneer investigator in titanium is A. IL Rossi.

Oct 1, 1922

By T. SPOLAN, G. W. Jones, R. E. Kennedy

Information relative to the explosibility of acetylene at elevated pressures and means of handling acetylene safely under these conditions is of considerable interest at present. American practice limits the pressure at which acetylene may be generated and distributed to poiIits of' use. The pressure in portable acetylene generators is 15 pounds per square inch gage. Tests made by the Bureau of Mines have shown that 15 pounds per square inch gage is too high to prevent explosiofiS of gaseous acetylene in the absence of air; in fact, dry acetylene gai can be exploded at pressures greater than 5.9 pounds per square inch gage. The Bureau has been interested in the explosibility of acetylene for many years because of its continued: use for illumination in many metal mines and its general use in cutting 1illd~--eldifigoperations in the mining maus-try.

Dec 1, 1948

By Paul W. Johnson, Ralph C. Kirby, Frank A. Peters

An evaluation is presented for a process designed , on the basis of published work , to extract alumina as potassium alum from clay using sulfuric acid and potassium sulfate . The silica residue is separated by filtration . Ferric iron is reduced to ferrous iron , and the alum is crystallized from the solution , leaving the ferrous iron in solution . The alum crystals are separated from the solution and redissolved for feed to autoclave decomposition . In an autoclave the alum is partly decomposed to a basic alum , recovering five - ninths of the sulfuric acid and two - thirds of the potassium sulfate without using an acid plant . The basic alum is decomposed by calcining , and the potassium sulfate is then removed by washing with water . Operating costs for a plant producing 1,000 tons of alumina a day are estimated at $ 96.15 per ton of alumina . The fixed capital cost is estimated at $ 155 million . This process is not competitive under current economic conditions with the production of alumina from bauxite by the Bayer process . Improvement in leaching , basic alum decomposition , and washing could reduce the costs and improve the product which contains some potassium .

Jan 1, 1963

By John Soule

The Torpedo copper mine in the Organ Mining, District, Dona Ana County, N. Mex., was discovered in 1899, and production of copper from oxidized-ore deposits was begun in 1900. Production continued through 1907, but operations were only intermittent frown 1907 through 1921. The production of copper during these periods amounted to about 3,500,000 pounds. Reserves primary sulfide copper ore were believed to occur below the old workings, and after a detailed examination of accessible workings and a study of drilling records of several private companies by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines, a development program of diamond core drilling was initiated. This investigation was started October 3, 1949; and completed April 30, 1950. Four holes totaling 2,122.3 feet wore diamond-drilled, and 70 samples were analyzed. All drilling was done with a Government-owned hydraulic-feet drill having special rods and core barrels to increase the recovery of core in critical zones. This report describes the location, history, ore deposits, and factual data obtained by the Bureau of Mines from the drilling.

Jan 1, 1951

By Thomas M. Garland

A field study was made by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with oil companies to determine the feasibility of changing the injection profile of water-input wells after water breakthrough at producing oil wells. A secondary objective was to study the particle size and quantity of plugging material required to change the input profile and the methods of applying these materials. Fifty-three injection wells were treated with various amounts and types of plugging materials and the injection profile was definitely changed in most of the wells treated. Increased efficiency of water injection after treatment was indicated by tracer surveys and injection-well performance. There were some indications that the rate of water production was reduced and the rate of oil production was increased as a result of selective-plugging treatments, but ,s found that an immediate change in the rate of oil and water production did not normally occur. In many cases, beneficial results from a treatment may never be observed in the rate of oil or water production due to the many factors that affect the performance of producing and injection wells.

Jan 1, 1966

By Jimmie C. Rosenbruch

The Federal Bureau of Mines evaluated the prospects for using geothermal energy to generate electricity for mines in remote areas. Given the development of a geothermal resource for this purpose, the subsidiary uses of space heating and agriculture were then examined to see if other industries might be viable given a cheap source of heat energy. Sites investigated were located in three areas of Alaska: Kobuk in the northwest, Unalaska in the southwest, and Stikine River in the southeast. Each site was relatively close to mineral deposits whose prospects for development would be enhanced with cheap power.

Jan 1, 1975

By Nunna Malakondaiah

Plant samples collected from the mined sites of Beulah, Center and Zap and the test sites of North Beulah 1, North Beulah If, South Beulahh and Center were analyzed for their nutrient concentrations. The vegetation from the mined areas generally showed lower concentrations of Na, P and Cu and failed to meet the nutritional requirements for beef cattle as defined by National Research Council (minimum requirements are: Na, 600; Cu, 4; P, 1800 µg/g dry weight). Plants from Beulah showed generally higher concentrations than from Center or Tap. Tissue concentrations of K varied significantly between sites for 5 species due to the low tissue concentrations at Center. Deficiencies are difficult to isolate as the sampling was done in mid-summer and generally during that season the tissue concentrations tend to decrease in several species. All of the plant species at the unmined sites, with the exception of western wheatgrass at Zap, had lower concentrations of P than the minimum nutritional requirements for beef cattle. Sodium concentration was low but Cu was marginal to adequate in plant species at the unmined sites. Concentrations of K, Mn and Cu in western wheatgrass were greater at Center than at Zap while the opposite was true of the concentrations of Zn, Cu and P in blue grama and Cu in green needlegrass. Amending the spoil with slack at North Beulah I decreased the concentrations of Zn, Cu and P in wheatgrasses grown on spoil from 0-2, 5-10, and 20-25 foot depths, respectively. In general, the mean tissue K+/Na+ ratios were greater in plants on slack amended spoils, primarily due to the reduced Na concentrations in the tissue. At North Beulah II test site, only wheatgrasses grown on spoil amended with slack showed significant increase in K and decrease in Na and Mn concentrations. At South Beulah test site which received 12" topsoil over graded spoil, leonardite amendment decreased P concentrations in all of the grasses as compared to control, whereas fertilizer treatment increased the same. Nutrient concentrations were lower in both fescue and needlegrass with leonardite treatment and higher with fertilizer treatment although not significantly different from control. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu and N in grasses grown on topsoil at Center test site were significantly higher than on slack amended spoil. Legumes grown on topsoil at Center site contained higher concentrations of P than those grown on spoil; there were no significant effects due to slack on spoil or topsoil. The data presented in this report act only as an indication of between-treatment and between-species differences in tissue composition of plants harvested in mid-summer season. With respect to the nutrients analyzed, since none were found to be toxic, the cattle can safely feed on the vegetation of these mined areas.

Jan 1, 1982

By Rogers F. Davis

This publication has been prepared to supply manufacturers and industrial users a listing of mobile diesel-powered equipment and subassemblies approved and certified by the Bureau of Mines for use in noncoal mines. Testing of diesel-powered equipment is one phase of the Bureau's program of health and safety that concerns approval of electrical and diesel equipment designed to prevent explosions, fires, shocks, or toxic hazards in underground mines, when such equipment is used and maintained properly. Manufacturers submit machinery and component parts to the Bureau for study of their design, safety features, and use. Equipment must pass exacting tests and must meet strict requirements established through research and experience and listed in the Bureau's permissible schedules before the Bureau approves it as permissible for safe use in mines.

Jan 1, 1963

By Charles W. Perdue

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report considers, from a psychological perspective, the perceptual process by which miners recognize and respond to mining hazards. It proposes that if the hazard recognition skills of miners can be improved, mining accidents may be reduced to a significant degree. Prior studies of hazard perception in mining are considered, as are relevant studies from investigations of military target identification, pilot and gunnery officer training, transportation safety, automobile operator behavior, research into sensory functioning and visual information processing. A general model of perception is introduced, and selected concepts from the psychology of perception that are applicable to the detection of mining hazards are reviewed. Hazard recognition is discussed as a function of the perceptual cues available to the miner as well as the cognitive resources and strategies employed by the miner. The development of expertise in responding to hazards is related to individual differences in the experience, aptitude, and personality of the worker. Potential applications to miner safety and training are presented.

Jan 1, 1995

To find solutions for common safety problems encountered in the handling of trailing cables, based on observations at many different surface mining operations. Approach Practices in handling trailing cables were Investigated through personal visits to over 40 mines, supplemented by visits to cable manufacturers and cable repair service companies. The most effective solutions to the safety problems en-countered were noted and are described In the project final report. Examples are given in this Technology News. Accident Experience Most cable-related injuries occur as a result of workers lifting, pulling, tripping, or being struck by the cable. The Table gives the frequency of occurrence for injuries reported during a recent 3 1/2 year period.

Jan 1, 1982

By Robert N. Roby

Deposits of iron ore in Judith Basin County, Mont., generally referred to as the Running Wolf deposits, were examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines in August 1942. During the Summer of 1943 the Federal Geological Survey made a reconnaissance survey of, the Running Wolf Iron district and also made a detailed study and a topographic and geological map of the eastern end of the district. Two deposits of iron ore at the eastern end of the district were trenched and drilled by the Bureau of Mines during the fall and winter of 1943-44, This report presents the factual data obtained from the trenching and drilling' operations. The iron deposits of thy Running Wolf district are accessible from Stanford, Mont., by 14 to 16 miles of county highway and 2 to 3 miles of rough mountain road or trails (see fig. 1). No shipments of ore have been made from of these deposits. The ore is a replacement of Madison limestone at the contact with syenite porphyry. The contact can be traced for about 6 miles in a general northwest direction. 'At least five. deposits occur along this contact.

Jan 1, 1949

By G. W. Elger

The Bureau of Mines conducted laboratory and larger scale studies on samples of domestic perovskite and ilmenite ore concentrates to devise a procedure for recovering TiC from these ores. From the concentrates, mixtures of titanium and calcium carbides were produced. The carbides were then ground and reacted with water. This reaction decomposed the CaC2 to acetylene and hydrated lime and simultaneously liberated the TiC. Using a combination of elutriation and gravity-separation techniques to separate the hydrated lime, approximately 93 pct of the titanium was subsequently recovered as purified carbide containing 54 to 70 pct titanium with CaO content as low as 0,6 pct. This combination of techniques can be used to separate more than 90 pct of the CaO from the TiC. Therefore, this carbiding procedure is a viable method for treating titaniferous materials, including perovskite, that contain more than 20 pct CaO. Tests made in a static-bed reactor showed that for the reaction of TiC with elemental chlorine to produce titanium tetrachloride (TiCI4), a temperature of at least 940° F is desirable to achieve a suitable extraction of titanium in a laboratory chlorination reactor. In fluidized-bed tests at 840° F, 98 pct of the titanium contained in TiC was extracted.

Jan 1, 1980

By Will H. Coghill

This paper on milling methods and costs at a flat river (Mo.), mill is one of a series of information circulars on milling methods and costs which is being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines, The mill under consideration treats 5,000 tons of load ore daily by table concentration and flotation. It is 25 years old, and yet it is a new mill. Research has been in continual progress at the plant since its beginning, and accordingly a day never passes without a record of change for advancement. The changes have been so orderly that no evidence of obsolete equipment remains.

Jan 1, 1932