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By Ott F. Heizer

This paper describing the mining practices at the mines of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Co., Inc., at Mill City, Nev., is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining practices, methods, and costs in tie various mining districts of the United States. The author acknowledges the assistance of William C. Vanderburg, associate mining engineer, U. S. Bureau of Mines, in the preparation of this paper.

Jan 1, 1930

By G. W. Birge

Twenty-eight samples, representing the Pittsburgh, Lower Kittanning, Stockton-Lewiston, Coalburg, Winifrede, Cedar Grove, Peerless, No. 2 Gas, Powellton, and Eagle beds, were carbonized by the Bureau of Mines--American Gas Association (BM-AGA) method, and yields of products and physical properties of cokes were determined. Expanding characteristics of 22 of the samples were determined in the Bureau of Mines sole-heated oven. The Kanawha County coals tested were high-volatile A bituminous in rank, with dry, mineral-matter- free fixed- carbon contents ranging from 53.9 to 66.3 percent. With few exceptions, they were chemically satisfactory for metallurgical use, and most of the coke-strength indexes were within the industrially accepted range for high-volatile blending coals.

Jan 1, 1963

By D. J. Parker, J. B. Benson, J. H. Bird, F. E. Cash

"INTRODUCTION The organic act that became effective July 1, 1910, imposes two very definite primary obligations upon the Bureau of Mines: (1) The prevention of loss of life and limb and the protection of the health of workers in the mineral industries, and (2) the conservation and scientific utilization of the country's mineral resources.The subject of this publication falls within the scope of both of these responsibilities by reason of the fact that (1) certain safety precautions are involved in combating even surface fires and, (2) although peat is not now, so far as known, utilized commercially or otherwise in this country as a fuel, it is extremely valuable agriculturally in at least one of our States, The justification for the conservation of such low-grade fuel through fire prevention appears warranted because of its present value to agriculture and the possible advantages accruing to future generations as a source of heat and power.Although the Bureau of Mines has published information on the origin and uses of peat, this is the first attempt to give out data concerning the prevention and control of peat-bog fires. Although the information presented here is restricted to the Lake Superior District, California, and Florida, there may be similar conditions in other sections of the country that have not come to the attention of engineers of the Bureau of Nines."

Jul 1, 1947

By R. Dell Davidson

This report contains the results of the work performed by Dayton T. Brown. Inc., Testing Laboratories, Bohemia, New York, under the Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines, Contract J0166089 entitled "Performance Testing of Air-Line Linking Components." The objectives of the program consisted of the following: 1. To conduct engineering tests that will provide data to recommend the performance criteria for air hose and piping connections. 2. To determine the requirements for restraining devices which are used to comply with MESA Health and Safety Standards 55, 56, 57,13-21.

Jan 1, 1978

By Benjamin W. Haynes

The Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has updated a 1977 NOAA report prepared by Dames & Moore entitled, "Description of Manganese Nodule Processing Activities for Environmental Studies." This updated report contains detailed flowsheets and descriptions of the five potential first-generation nodule recovery schemes now considered most likely to be used by industry; they are high-temperature gas reduction and ammoniacal leach, Cuprion ammoniacal leach, high-temperature and high-pressure H2S04 leach, reduction and HCI leach, and smelting and H2S04 leach. The first three processes are three-metal recovery schemes (Cu, Ni, and Co) with the option of Mn recovery from the tailings. The remaining two processes are four-metal (Cu, Ni, Co, and Mn) recovery schemes. All except the HCI process are assumed to use a nodule feed rate of 3 million tons per year (dry basis). Final metal products are Co powder and cathode Cu and Ni. A minor amount of Ni is also recovered as powder, and some Cu and Zn are recovered as mixed sulfides. Manganese in the four-metal processes is recovered as either manganese metal or ferromanganese.

Jan 1, 1983

By R. V. Lundquist

The compound 2Na2O?3CaO?5Al2O3 occurs as a minor phase in lime-soda sinters prepared for extracting aluminum from siliceous aluminum-bearing materials. About 99 percent extraction of sodium and aluminum from synthesized 2Na2O.3CaO.5Al2O3 was obtained in solutions of NaOH-Na2CO3 at leaching temperatures of 50° C and above. Extractions in water were low because insufficient NaOH was generated by hydrolysis. Extractions in NaOH solutions were limited to about 80 percent owing to the precipitation of hydrated calcium aluminates. Rapid extractions of 100 percent were obtainable in NaaC03 solutions, but the subsequent rapid precipitation of alumina trihydrate caused losses in alumina recovery.

Jan 1, 1965

By Leonard Obert

This Bur of Mines investigation considers the deformational behavior (creep) of pillars made from three quasi-plastic rocks--salt, trona, and potash ore. The first phase of this study considers the design of a model pillar suitable for creep tests; in the second phase, six model pillars prepared from salt from two sources, from trona, and from potash ore. The pillars in each group were subjected to a different but constant axial stress, and the axial strain was measured for 1,000 hours.

Jan 1, 1965

By R. V. Higgins

In a recent report3/ the authors presented a rapid method of calculating, by means of a desk calculator, the future performance of oil reservoirs in which the motivating agent was gas. The accuracy of the method was tested by data obtained from an electronic computer. Because of the accuracy obtained for the limited number of calculations performed, considerable interest has been expressed in the electronic computer program used to obtain the comparative data by an analytical solution. Accordingly, the computer procedures for the analytical solution are presented in this report. In an earlier report, 4/ a reservoir appraisal procedure was published in which an iterative method was used. Many requests were received for the computer program used to obtain the values given in that paper. That program, with some modifications, also is presented in this report. The modifications are given because of the progress that his been made in computers, and because much of the program for the analytical solution is usable for the iterative procedure.

Jan 1, 1960

By Carl Belser

This report is the first of a series dealing with the oil-shale reserves of the Green River formation in the Rocky Mountain Region. The known oil-shale reserves of northwestern Colorado at present considered to have economic value apparently are confined to the Piceanco Creek basin between the Colorado and White Rivers. The number of sampled sections is small, but there can be little doubt that the Piceance Creek basin is a potential source of enormous quantities of liquid fuels and the related byproducts obtained from oil-shale processing. The partly blocked and inferred oil-shale reserves of 25-gallon-a-ton shale are estimated to have an oil yield of 125 billion barrels and the reserves of 15-gallon-a-ton shale are estimated to have an oil yield of 494 billion barrels. The number of available sampled sections is inadequate for making firm estimates.

Jan 1, 1951

By R. D. Leitch, C. A. Taylor

Trinitrotoluene is made by the direct nitration of toluene by a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids . The exact procedure varies , but the product , where Grade I of TNT is desired , is similar , and consists largely of material that has a melting and setting point of 80.6 °c . The purification consists of draining off the liquid portions , including the acid and liquid nitro compounds . The mass is crushed and washed until the TNT is acid - free . It may still have a low-melting point due to the presence of material of lower nitration. Other isomers also have the same effect . The crystal mass may be washed with a solution of sodium sulphite , thiosulphate , sulphuric acid , or with an organic solvent such as alcohol , benzene , or carbon tetrachloride , Where a very pure product is desired , the TNT is separated by fractional crystallization from solution in organic solvents . The TNT is If it forms In some cases the material is melted during purification . agitated as it cools to prevent solidification in a solid mass . in a solid mass , this is broken up and screened . There has been some question as to the effect of the different methods of purification on the strength and sensitiveness of TNT , although all methods left a product that would give satisfactory tests .

Sep 1, 1923

By Noel N. Moebs

The Bureau of Mines conducted five reconnaissance magnetometer traverses across a small abandoned chromite mine in the State Line district of Pennsylvania and Maryland to determine the geophysical response of the area. The results indicate that more extensive geophysical surveys of the region might establish some worthwhile guidelines for chromite exploration. While chromite only rarely can be detected directly by magnetic methods, there is a possibility that geophysical signatures in the adjacent host rock could provide some guidelines for further exploration. Prior to 1875, all the chromite produced in the United States came from the State Line district, and the potential for discovering additional podiform deposits could be significant. Virtually no state-of-the-art geuphysical or geochemical studies have been conducted in this district since World War II and sizable areas remain undeveloped and suitable for exploration. While the results reported in this paper are not supported by drilling, it may encourage others to investigate the area more fully for improved methods of detecting subsurface podiform chromite deposits. New theories on the emplacement of ophiolites also could contribute to an assessment of the chromite potential of the serpentinite belt.

Jan 1, 1991

By John Furness Park

This paper, which describes the mining methods and practices at the Jarbidge mines of the Elkoro Mines Co., is one of a series of papers being issued by the United States Bureau of Mines on mining methods and costs in various districts throughout the United States. LOCATION AND HISTORY The Elkoro Mines Co.'s property is located at Jarbidge in the northeast corner of the State of Nevada (fig. 1). The camp is 9 miles south of the Idaho line; the nearest railroad point is 70 miles to the northeast at Rogerson, Idaho. A road leading to the south and connecting with Deeth, Nev., is passable during the summer months; the heavy snowfall which generally takes place early in the winter usually closes the road until the first of July.

Jan 1, 1931

By McHenry Mosier

This paper describes the practice in diamond drilling blast holes and discusses the relative merits of this method as compared with drilling by percussion rock-drills at eastern magnetite mine A. The rooke that were drilled included: (1) Gneiss; (2) sohist; (3) crystalline limestone; and (4) granular masses of magnetite. The principal stoping methods were: (1) Sublevel open stoping and (2) inclined room-and-pillar. Diamond drilling was used in the sublevel stopes and in some of the large pillars in an old section of the mine. Experimental work on diamond drilling blast holes began in 1943. Drill- ing proved difficult owing to the occurrence of fingers of extremely hard barren rock in the magnetite ore. All diamond drilling was contracted to a firm that furnished everything necessary for drilling except compressed air and water. In most instances the diamond-drill machine is clamped directly to a 3.5-inch column to reduce vibration. For drilling in floor pillars in open stopes, the drill was set on a demountable, sectionalized steel, frame with four legs carrying a 20-foot, 3.5-inch, extra-heavy pipe. "Both coring and noncoring bits were tried. In holes drilled with a cor- ing bit, the core was ground into sludge as the bit advanced so that it was unnecessary to delay drilling for pulling core. Data on tests with several types of bits are given as well as some oper- ating results. A direct comparison of costs between diamond drilling and percussion drilling was not available. The advantages of diamond drilling blast holes at mine A included: (1) Safer working conditions in open stopes. (2) The recovery of additional ore. (3) A reduction in the amount of stops development.

Dec 1, 1946

By R. C. Hickman

Manganiferous breccia formations on three properties were prospected by the Bureau of Mines from January to November 1954 in Johnson County, Tenn. The prospecting consisted of diamond drilling, trenching, shaft sinking, and crosscutting. The results of the exploratory work show the manganiferous material to be low-grade, with little vertical extension. The manuscript on this report was completed February 1955. LOCATION The prospects are in Johnson County, Tenn. (fig. 1), within a radius of 12 miles from Mountain City. The nearest railroad terminal is Damascus, Va., 14 miles from Mountain City.

Jan 1, 1956

By Stephen A. Swan

Bureau of Mines research has not included analyses of mining dredge safety since 1948. Because of the increasing use of dredges, 63 fatal accidents and several hundred nonfatal injury accidents involving dredges were examined. Also, 31 working dredges and 3 dredge manufacturers were visited to acquire qualitative information. Drowning accidents represented 59 pct of the fatalities and are delineated in detail. Also, countermeasures against other hazards are discussed.

Jan 1, 1985

By E. W. Newman

The Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey, developed the property of the Tungsten Metals Corp. by surface trenching and diamond drilling from November 1940 to June 1941 and from August 1943 to December 1943. The purpose of the work was to determine possible reserves of tungsten in the downward extension and lateral eastern extension of three major tungsten-bearing quartz veins. The property is 50 miles south of Ely, White Pine County, Nev., in the Minerva Mining District. Tungsten ore was discovered in the district in 1915, and mining started in 1916. The tungsten ore bodies occur as shoots in quartz veins that occur along faults in limestone. With the exception of a small-scale leasing operation in 1932, the property was idle from 1919 until 1936, when Tungsten Metals Corp. was organized to acquire the mines. Production ceased in May 1945, and the mines were idle until leased in 1947. Development by the Bureau of Mines during 1940 and 1941 consisted of surface trenching, sampling, and diamond drilling 37 holes for a total of 6,959 feet. Subsequent drilling of eight holes, totaling 3,067 feet, in 1943 disclosed additional reserves. This report sets forth in considerable detail the exploration work completed by the Bureau and briefly describes the mining and milling methods employed. Diamond-drill halo logs and sample analyses are shown graphically in the illustrations that accompany the report.

Jan 1, 1950

By Louis C. Brichta

The Capital Mine is one of, the more important zinc mines in Lawrence County, Mo. Owing to the urgent need for additional zinc during the war and the available facilities for the treatment of zinc-lead ores at the property, the Bureau of Mines examined the mine during July and August 1942 and selected it for further investigation by churn drilling, which was accomplished in the fall of 1943 and spring of 1944. At the conclusion of the drilling on the Capital holdings, the Greenland property, immediately south, was investigated by drilling two additional holes. Results of the investigation are presented in this report.

Jan 1, 1948

By Bill M. Stewart, Phil W. Patton, Curtis C. Clark

Back injuries from handling materials in underground mines continue to be a major safety problem. In spite of the ingenuity of many people and the development of numerous mechanized aids, the number of materials-handling injuries remains second only to the number of roof fall injuries in underground coalmines. Relocation and repositioning of electrical cable, conveyor belt parts, and roof bolt sup-plies in particular are the sources of significant numbers of back injuries. To help reduce such injuries, researchers at the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are examining Mine Safety and Health Administration accident data to determine correlations between materials-handling tasks and the number of back injuries. Also being investigated are new technologies used in underground mines in the United States. Equipment is being developed or modified that would replace the necessity of doing lifting tasks manually. A Coleman manipulator was tested, and modifications were made to make it more suitable for underground mine use. To reduce or eliminate the need to manually clean off materials that commonly plug grizzly openings, a track-guided pincher arm device was developed. Oversized rock can be broken with the pincher arms in the up position, and the arms can be lowered to grab and remove debris. The arm can also be used in a sweeping action to remove cohesive fines that may bridge grizzly openings.

By Fremont T. Johnson

Credited with production of more than 164,000 flasks Of quicksilver from 1876 to 1944, the Oat Hill mine has ranked third in output in the United States. During World War II, when the demand for mercury was high, this property was selected for diamond drill with the purpose of increasing ore reserves so that production could be maintained or, if necessary, increased. Although the existence of marginal-grade ore (fill material) left in the stapes and possibly of virgin ore of good grade had suspected in certain parts of the Oat Hill mine, no factual information to tonnage, grade, or location was available. In close cooperation with the Federal Geological Survey, the Bureau of Mines studied old records and the few available incomplete maps. Diamond drilling began in November 1943 and was completed in December 1944. Twenty-eight holes aggregating 8,121 feet were drilled, in only parts of the promising areas disclosed by the study of the data available. Detailed data on the work done by the Bureau as well as a brief history of the property and some operating details are described in this report.

Jan 1, 1949

By Lito C. Mejia

Diesel-powered equipment operating in a gassy underground mine could conceivably ingest a methane-air mixture from the mine atmosphere that could cause the diesel engine to overspeed, or exceed its rated speed. Engine overspeed, particularly if extreme (engine runaway), could result in personal injury, a possible mine explosion, and/or catastrophic engine failure. In this report, the Bureau of Mines reviews the literature on the potential hazards of methane-induced diesel engine overspeed. Also included are the Bureau's findings from consultations with representatives of the diesel engine industry to determine the specific engine behavior that could he expected under the overspeed condition. The report summarizes data on mine accidents involving methane, discusses results of tests on the compression ignition of methane in diesel engines, and examines fuel governors and intake-air-cutoff devices, two kinds of devices used to prevent overspeed. Analysis of the information gathered suggests that the conditions necessary to cause a diesel engine to overspeed uncontrollably are not likely to occur, particularly if the engine is equipped with flame-proofing devices. The available literature and lack of actual overspeed case histories suggest that the safety devices currently in use are sufficient to prevent diesel engine overspeed.

Jan 1, 1984