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By Gergely Markos

Uranium mill tailings represent a potential threat to the human habitat by containing large amounts of radioactive and chemically toxic substances in high concentrations. These: undesired components enter the human habitat in various pathways such as by erosion and water or air transport. The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the actual movement and model the potential movement of contaminants by seepage of water from the tailings into the subtailings soil. This report represents various models of the movement of contaminants using both theoretical approaches and empirical evaluation of data available from other investigations. The data consist of field measurements and laboratory determi¬nations of major and trace cations, the dominant anions, pH, and Eh of moist solids, extracts, and waters from the tailings and surroundings. Evaluation and interpre¬tation of data were accomplished by using Eh-pH diagrams, various statistical methods and the WATEQFC computer program. Data analyses show that the critical area of investigating movement- is the interfaces between tailings and the external environment. The chemical differences at interfaces seem to result in a sink system for contaminants. The tailings-soil¬-water system shows extreme complexities because of chemical and physical hetero¬geneity of the system preventing the use of a single comprehensive model to represent real conditions. The validity of the simplifying assumption used has been shown and increasing complexity has been built into the models. Analogs of these models can be used for evaluation of similar systems.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. N. Geyer

During the early stages of the mining industry of the United States an apparently inexhaustible supply of high-quality, easily accessible coal made the product cheap and the attendant mining methods wasteful of recoverable coal. Because coal from advance places could be mined with less effort and a large outwit obtained as the entries advanced, much of the coal left in pillars to support the roof was lost. Squeezes often developed in these mined-over areas, or, if pillars were of sufficient size to-prevent squeeze, the roof would be so weakened by long exposure that any pillar recovery was extremely hazardous. As the value of unmined coal increased, a high recovery of the available coal became necessary. Numerous plans were tried during the period that followed, some of the methods proving successful while others were complete failures or only partly successful. As a better knowledge was pained of the roof strata and its behavior, however, pillar mining became more successful and methods suited to special roof conditions were developed.

Jan 1, 1933

By Alastair M. Lumsden

A study was initiated to examine the ways in which a number of foreign countries classify and regulate metal/non-metal mines which experience problems due to naturally-occurring flammable gases. Twenty countries were selected for study, and useful information was obtained from sixteen of these. Nine countries were visited (five of them twice) to hold meetings with representatives of government mine regulatory agencies and mine operators, and to visit mines encountering methane and other gases (carbon dioxide, nitrogen). In the later stages of the study seven gassy metal/non-metal mines in the United States were visited so as to provide a basis for comparison, and hence the evaluation of both the U.S. and foreign gassy mine regulations. In addition to obtaining copies of the mining laws and regulations of a number of foreign countries, nine foreign gassy mines, and the seven in the United States were documented in as much detail as possible. All this information is presented, along with appropriate conclusions and appendices. The study took two years and three months to complete.

Jan 1, 1983

By Xintan Chang

MFIRE is a computer simulation program that performs normal ventilation network planning calculations and dynamic transient-state simulation of ventilation networks under a variety of conditions. The program is useful for the analysis of ventilation networks under the influence of natural ventilation, fans, fires, or any combination of these. MFIRE simulates a mine's ventilation system and its response to altered ventilation parameters such as the development of new mine workings or changes in ventilation control structures, external influences (varying outside temperatures), and internal influences (fires). Extensive output enables detailed, quantitative analysis of the effects that the alteration will cause to the ventilation system. The program was developed at Michigan Technological University (MTU), Houghton, MI, with support from the Bureau of Mines. A personal computer (PC) version of the program was completed under contract for the Bureau by MTU. The purpose of this report is to document the installation and use of the PC version of the program MFIRE.

Jan 1, 1990

By P. A. Cox

The purpose of the initial research performed under this contract was to determine the margins of safety in explosion-proof (XP) enclosures, which were designed and certified according to the current schedule (Schedule 2G). Results from this work provide baseline data on the current schedule, from which a new schedule can be formulated to give equal or greater levels of safety. Results and discoveries in the initial work led to an expansion of the contract to cover, additionally, weld quality in enclosure fabrication, reliability of enclosures with windows and lenses, and performance tests for enclosure qualification. Finite element calculations and hydrostatic tests revealed wide variations in the margins of safety in the enclosures studied; however, only one enclosure had a safety factor which was less than one. Results from a weld quality survey led to the recommendation of AWS Welding Standard D14.4 for the fabrication of XP enclosures. Based on other work, accelerated aging tests were recommended for qualifying plastics and adhesives that are used in some enclosures, and a Structural Performance Test was developed to test enclosure strength for a minimum static pressure of 150 psig.

Jan 1, 1982

By G. D. Jermain

The Bureau of Mines investigated the Gypsum-Camel deposit on Iyoukeen Cove Chichagof Island, Southeastern Alaska, from April 21 to August 26, 1948, as A part of the United States Department of the Interior program for developing an Alaskan construction industry. As gypsum is one of the components necessary for the manufacture of cement and one of the raw materials for plaster and plaster-board products, it is desirable to locate and develop a readily accessible deposit of gypsum in Alaska. In 1928, B. D. Stewart of the Territorial Department of Mines surveyed the gypsum deposits at Iyoukeen Cove, and during the summer of 1946 George M. Flint, Jr., and Edward H. Cobb of the Federal Geological Survey examined and mapped the old workings at Gypsum Creek and the prospect at Iyoukeen Cove. Both the Territorial Department of Mines and the Federal Geological Survey recommended the Gypsum-Camel prospect as warranting a diamond-drilling program by the Bureau of Mines. The Bureau of Mines project consisted of cleaning out and sampling, the old underground workings and diamond drilling from the surface to ascertain the lateral extensions of the deposit.

Jan 1, 1952

This report is in partial fulfillment of Contract S0241051 awarded to COMINEC on June 27, 1974. 'Me purpose of the work under this contract is to develop a conceptual design for an automated longwall mining system. The conceptual design will serve as the basis for future design and development of an automated longwall mining system capable of sustained production in excess of 2,500 tons per shift with reduced manpower which will ultimately be demonstrated in an area where conventional longwall mining has been successful. 1.2 DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM 1.2.1 Why An Automated System The most obvious benefit of automation and remote control in a longwall mining system is the reduction of accidents consequent upon a reduced working force in the hazardous face areas. However, another important aspect of the problem is the skilled labor shortage which is being compounded by the need for vastly increased coal production. The United States coal mining industry had a working force of almost 600,000 miners in 1928 but was able to muster only 145,000 miners in 1970. The miners required to staff the additional working sections and the new mines necessary to meet our energy needs are simply not available. Only automation and remote control will permit a reduced work force with increased production by keeping the face equipment operating continuously.

Jan 1, 1975

By James W. Reil

A test series of small, precisely-controlled and thoroughly-monitored production blasts was conducted at two quarries. In each series, all variables except delay were kept constant, as much as practically possible. The first aim of the study was to determine the effect of local geology on ground vibration. The second aim was to test several hypotheses relating the effect of millisecond delay intervals to fragmentation and ground vibration. A resonant frequency of ground vibration was shown to be related to the thickness of the overburden, in accord with a model proposed by Gupta (1961). Since the overburden geology creating this resonant vibration cannot usually be changed, two methods were tested to choose delays such that blast vibrations would destructively interfere. These were shown to be effective in modifying both the peak particle velocity and response spectra of ground vibration. The delay interval chosen also affects fragmentation, primarily in massive rock, with an optimum relief between holes of 2 ms/ft. Strain gage records indicate a possible mechanism consistent with this information.

Jan 1, 1985

THE Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act (30 U.S.C., 321-325, and amendments) become law April 5, 1644, and a period of intensive research and development in this field was begun by the Bureau of Mines. As part of this program bulletins were published on a pressure hydrogenation,3 the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis,4 and oil shale.5 The Bureau also has published a short bibliography on coal gasification,6 mostly of a theoretical nature. Because coal gasification is prerequisite to Hither the Fischer-Tropsch or coal-hydrogenation processes, publishing this sizable, collection of technical information in this form will be valuable. The material is presented in three parts, as follows: I. United States Patents. II. United Kingdom, Australian, Canadian, and South African Patents. III. Belgium, French, German, Italian, and Swedish Patents. The domestic patents for this bulletin were collected between 1963 and 1955. Some of the Foreign Patents were collected at the same time and a few of them later in 1961. Part I was published in 1960; Part II was published in 1962.

Jan 1, 1964

By E. L. Garton

[Analyses of may crude oils produced in Louisiana are included in reports that t have boon published by the Bureau of Mines. The first report, giving, analyse of 6 Louisiana crude oils, was 3 published in 1921 and this was followed a year later by Report of Investigations 2416,4/ giving 7 additional analyses. The eleven most important of these analyses were incorporated in Bulletin 291.5/ issued in 1928 In 1934 analyses of 26 crude oils produced in southern Louisiana were published.6/ The percent report presents analyses of 72 additional samples of crude oil from 45 fields in 23 parishes In Louisiana.]

Jan 1, 1939

By J. D. Davis

THIS REPORT gives results of an investi¬gation of the carbonizing properties of coals from Pittsburgh bed, Jamison No. 9 mine, Marion County, W. Va., and from Upper Freeport bed, Bull Run No. 1 mine, Preston County, W. Va. The study included Bureau of Mines-American Gas Association tests at 800° and 900° C. and various chemical and physical tests designed to evaluate the plastic, expanding, and agglutinating properties of coal. A blend of each coal was carbonized in the 500-pound slot oven. The carbonization sample of Pittsburgh coal contained 2.7 percent moisture, 35.8 percent volatile matter, 54.4 percent fixed carbon, 7.1 percent ash, and 0.9 percent sulfur. It contained 60.9 percent fixed carbon on the dry, mineral-matter-free basis and had a heating value of 14,780 B. t. u. per pound on the moist, mineral-matter-free basis. It therefore ranks as high-volatile A bituminous and was blended with low-volatile Pocahontas No. 3 coal. Upper Freeport coal contained 2.8 percent moisture, 27.7 percent volatile matter, 60.9 percent fixed carbon, 8.6 percent ash, and 1.0 percent sulfur, as carbonized. It contained 69.5 percent fixed carbon on the dry, mineral-matter-free basis and therefore ranks as medium-volatile bituminous. It was blended with high-volatile A Pittsburgh coal from Allegheny County Pa.

Jan 1, 1952

By Boyd Wise

A jet pump injector was developed and successfully tested, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of a jet injector for introducing coarse coal into an operating slurry face haulage system: In Phase I a variety of injection concepts were evaluated, and the jet pump was identified as best, due to its simplicity, compactness and performance potential. In Phase IIA subscale jet pump injector tests were conducted, and a computer model of a jet pump injector was developed whose performance predictions correlated well with subscale test results. In Phase IIB various system configurations were defined for integrating a jet pump injector into a fully operational underground coarse slurry face haulage system, further highlighting the feasibility and practicality of such a system. In Phase III a full-scale mobile haulage vehicle embodying a jet pump injector and coal sizing equipment was detail designed into a practical vehicle with attractive performance characteristics. More importantly, fully operational full scale jet pump injector -and feeder/breaker subassemblies were tested and proven successful in their ability to down-size coal to 3" in all 3 dimensions and to consistantly provide slurry of 4217 weight concentration at 6.4 TPM throughput under a wide range of operating conditions including zero to maximum feed rate within 5 seconds.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. E. Gray

[The purpose of the study is to investigate cases of subsidence over abandoned mined-out areas of the Pittsburgh Coal identified from published and unpublished sources and to determine through a consideration of the geology, topography, climate, mining activity, and evidence at ground surface, what mechanisms control subsidence .and under what circumstances it takes place. The study wan performed it two phases, the first to identify all documented incidents of subsidence in mined-out areas of the Pittsburgh coal Region; and the second, to study a particular portion of the region in detail, collecting pertinent data relative to the sites within, characterizing roil the nature of the subsidence and its economic consequences, and determining the applicability of the findings to other areas whore similar problems with the collapse of abandoned miner have been encountered.]

Jan 1, 1977

By B. K. Shibler, W. G. Sandell, G. M. Potter, H. D. Snedden

"INTRODUCTION During the course of the investigation of the occurrence of manganese deposits in the western United States, examining 'engineers of the Bureau of Mines collected samples from seven manganese properties in Grand and beery Counties, Utah. These were supplemented by five samples submitted by property owners. Since all of the ores were too low-grade for use in producing ferromanganese for steel manufacture, some means of beneficiation was required to produce marketable concentrates, and metallurgical studies were made on each of the samples.Most of the ores Investigated are similar in one respect: At least part of the 'manganese oxide areas contains minute inclusions of gangue. This occurrence materially enhances the complexity of the ore, partly by .increasing the complexity of mineral association, but largely through making manganese-quartz liberation more difficult. In such ores, there is a marked tendency for the manganese minerals to be retained as shells or coatings on the surfaces of quartz particles when crushed. Particles of this type represent considerable loss of manganese in tailing, if gravity-concentration methods are employed, or tend to' float, thus carrying an appreciable quantity of gangue into the concentrate, if treated by flotation.Plus 48-percent manganese sinters were made from some of the ores tested, but, in general, intimate association of manganese minerals with silica limited the degree of beneficiation attainable."

Dec 1, 1947

Geophysical Abstracts 1 - 86 were issued in mimeographed form by the Bureau of Mines; Abstracts 87 - 111 were published in bulletins of the Geological Survey; Abstracts 112 - 120 were issued in mimeographed form by the Bureau of Mines as Information Circulars 7256, 7257; 7267,`7273; 7285, 7292, 7303, 7310, and 7324. 1. GRAVITATIONAL METHODS 7933. Ansel, E. A Eine Untersuchung zum Problem der Isostasie (An Investigation Regarding the Problem of Isostasy). Gerlands Beitr. Geophys., Leipzig, vol. 59, 1942, pp. 16-26.

Jan 1, 1945

By Donald W. Mitchell

Studies were made in the Bureau of Mines Experimental coal mine to evaluate the effectiveness of a few extinguishing agents and techniques for controlling a fire on a simulated mining machine. The investigation showed that water containing an alkali-metal salt or a surface-active (wetting) agent was more effective than water alone. For close attack, fog applications was the most effective technique studied; high rates of agent application controlled the fire more quickly than low rates. The ability to control the fire increased as the distance of attack decreased. Dry powders controlled the fire when applied by shovel but not when applied airborne by rock-dust distributor or by hand fire extinguishers. Dry alkali-metal salt powders (potassium and sodium bicarbonates and sodium tetraborate) quenched the fire more readily than limestone dust. In each instance the finer powder, the greater its effectiveness. In an open ventilated entry, smoke and hot gases backed against the air currents. An airspeed of 230 feet per minute was required to permit approach to within 10 feet of the fire. At lower airspeeds, approach could be made by extending the brattice across the bottom two-thirds of the entry, by pushing the smoke ahead with water sprays, or by discharging dust from a rock-dust distributor. In a dead-end entry, the fire was approached to within 30 feet by coursing fresh air along an airtight line brattice; however, it was safer, easier, and less time-consuming to attack the fire from a fresh-air base 100 feet away with a solid stream or by high-expansion foam; the latter method was more effective.

Jan 1, 1961

By Rita D. Sylvester

"THE BUREAU OF MINES was established in the public interest to conduct inquiries and scientific and technologic investigations concerning mining and the preparation, treatment, and utilization of mineral substances; to promote health and safety in the mineral industries; to conserve mineral resources and prevent their waste; to further economic development; to increase efficiency in the mining, metallurgical, quarrying, and other mineral industries; and to inquire into the economic conditions affecting these industries. The organic act of the Bureau, as amended by Congress and approved February 25, 1913, made it the province and duty of the Bureau to ""disseminate information concerning these subjects in such manner as will best carry out the purposes of this Act.""In accordance with that directive, the Bureau reports the findings of its research and investigations in its own series of publications and also in articles that appear in scientific, technical, and trade journals; in proceedings of conventions and seminars; in reference books; and in other non-Bureau sources. The number of these reports, the wide range of subjects they cover, and the variety of mediums in which they appear make the kind of list and index presented III this special publication both necessary and valuable. This issue describes Bureau reports and articles published during the period January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1964. It supplements the 50-year list of Bureau publications issued from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 1960,2 and the 50-year list of articles by Bureau authors published outside the Bureau from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 1960.3 It supersedes the annual lists of Bureau publications and articles from January 1 to December 31, 1960/ from January 1 to December 31, 1961,5 from January 1 to December 31, 1962,6 and from January 1 to December 31, 1963,1 The leading general and technical libraries of the United States maintain files of the Bureau's publications. A list of these libraries appears immediately following this introduction. BUREAU PUBLICATIONSBecause some series of Bureau reports contain both free and sales publications, and because the cost of sales publications varies, prices are indicated in the individual listings of all publications for which charges are made."

Jan 1, 1964

By W. R. ARGYLE, R. A. SHERMAN, Henry Kreisinger, John Blizard, B. J. CROSS, A. R. Mumford

On entering the World War the United States was confronted with the necessity of building in a short time a large number of ships of tonnage adequate to transport troops and war materials to Europe and to carry food supplies to the allied countries, whose merchant fleets had suffered greatly by submarine warfare. The necessity of building ships quickly led to the formation of the United States Shipping Board, which was charged with the duty of developing an efficient organization for the purpose. Such an organization was developed under the name of the Emergency Fleet Corporation; it was under the control of the Government, but could conduct its business in the most direct way, like a private corporation. In order to build the largest- number of ships possible without drawing too heavily on the steel industry, which was already taxed heavily by the production of munitions, it was decided to build wooden as well as steel ships. These ships were built from a few standard designs to enable a large number of duplicate parts to be fabricated in inland shops and transported by railroad to the shipyards on the seacoast, where they were assembled into ships. In other words, the plan was to manufacture the ships rather than to build them. The shops on the seacoast were reserved to make those parts of the ships' equipment that could not readily be transported. The inland shops made the parts that could be transported to the seacoast by railroad. Among the more important parts of the ships' equipment to be standardized were the boilers. As the Scotch marine boiler in large units is bulky and can not be transported by railroad, and as, for the same capacity,much more steelis needed in its construction than for water-tube boilers, a few simple designs of water-tube boilers were developed that inland shops having ordinary equipment could make in large quantities.

Jan 1, 1924

By K. L. Paciorek

The primary objective of this program was to determine the toxic fume and fire hazard of materials used in the construction of mine stoppings and in the sealing and reinforcing of mine ribs and roofs. The materials investigated were: silicone, phenolic, and isocyanate-based rigid foams, as well as epoxy and acrylate mine sealants. Of the rigid foams tested, the X-156 urethane foam presented the greatest toxic hazard based on toxic load values hydrogen chloride was the main toxic species evolved by this foam. In 'lone of the isocyanate-based compositions was hydrogen cyanide the major component, but its contribution increased with temperature. The FS-24 urethane and Celotex Max-Seal isocyanurate foams had the lowest toxic load values, although these two foams have different applications for in-mine use. Of the two mine sealants tested, the latex /acrylic coating presented the greater toxic hazard with acetic acid being the main toxic species evolved.

Jan 1, 1983

By William L. Crentz

This study of the preparation characteristics of the coals in Indiana County, Pa., is the second in a series of Bureau publications appraising the Nation's coking-coal reserves by counties and the practicability of upgrading marginal deposits to metallurgical standards. The first publication dealt with the preparation characteristics of the principal coal beds in Cambria County, Pa. Over 95 percent of the coal remaining in Indiana County is in the Upper Freeport, Lower Freeport, and Lower Kittanning beds. Isolated patches of Pittsburgh-bed coal are present, and the Upper Kittanning bed is found in minable thickness at some locations, but production from these sources is not large. The greatest production is from the Freeport beds, which account for nearly 70 percent of the Indiana County coal output. These beds usually contain two or more shale or hone partings and in many places are high in sulfur. The large proportion of bony coal in the Freeport beds 'produces a relatively high-ash product. Mining practices vary from place to place, but it is frequently necessary to leave certain bony portions of the bed in place in order to load a satisfactory product. Table 1 shows the county's coal production, by beds, during 1948.

Jan 1, 1951