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By A. C. Fieldner

This is the tenth annual report of research and technologic work conducted by the Bureau of Mines on the occurrence, properties, mining, preparation, and uses of coal and coal products. These annual reviews are guide's to the current work-and publications of the Bureau but do not replace the more complete reports published under the authorship of the individual investigators on specific problems in Bureau of Mines bulletins, technical papers, reports of investigations, and information circulars and in the technical press. The Annual Report of the Director of the Bureau of Mines to the Secretary of the Interior for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 1945, summarizes the year's work on coal as follows: Coal and Coal Products The United States maintained its No. 1 industrial position in supplying fuel for war and in preparing for peace through more complete mining, improved preparation and up-grading of coal for special uses, and better utilization of coal in industrial establishments and homes.

Jan 1, 1946

By Staff

"INTRODUCTION Sheet mica is one of the most important minerals in modern industry. It is used in many kinds of electrical devices, and up to the present time no satisfactory substitute for it has been developed. It is necessary for the successful operation of airplanes, ships, motor vehicles radios, and radar equipment. Early in World y r II, the Array and Navy, foreseeing the need for conserving the stock of sheet mica on hand and realizing that imports from India and Brazil were falling off, had strategic mica placed on the critical war-materials list.Examination and exploration by the Bureau of nines indicated that there probably are large undeveloped deposits of mica in Alabama, some of which are near the surface and others at greater depth. The quality of most of this mica is high.During World War I, Alabama mica producers added materially to domestic production, but after 1920 virtually all of the mines closed end miners scattered. During World War II, when imports from India, Madagascar,Brazil,,other foreign sources were reduced, sometime was required for Alabama to act into production. Operators began to produce small quantities in 1942.The Colonial Mica Corporation was created by the Government during 1942 to buy Mica for the Metals Reserve Company, end later Colonial was made sole buying accent for strategic mica. About this time the Bureau of Mines estab¬lished the graphite field laboratory at Ashland, Ala. Samples of mica wore submitted for examination, and advice was requested by property owners and mine operators. This continued during 1943, when as many as 400 visitors a month called at the Bureau's Ashland field laboratory."

Aug 1, 1946

The Bureau of Mines recognized the need for a demonstration program to distribute and apply existing information regarding the illumination of working places in mines. This report details the performance of illumination systems which were installed on several different types of mining machinery.

Jan 1, 1978

To develop a conceptual design for an automated longwall mining system, one should know what has been done, what is being done today and what is being planned for tomorrow. The bibliography referenced and discussed in this report provides a good source for that knowledge. To scientifically determine where attention should be focused to up-grade a system, the system must be quantized as far as possible. The Mechanization Profile of Appendix A-I is discussed in this report and has been used to analyze and determine the degree of mechanization currently in use and/or described in the literature for all three major elements of the long-wall system, namely, Winning, Roof Support and Haulage. The charted profiles make it self-evident where attention and design effort is needed to remove human operators from the face of the mine.

Jan 1, 1975

The original manuscript of section 2 of this series of miners' circulars devoted to accident prevention in bituminous-coal mines was completed in September 1944. At that time roof bolting had been tried with some success in the lead-mining district of south-eastern Missouri, but information on the subject was so fragmentary that it was not included as a method of roof support. References to roof support in bituminous-coal mines, therefore, were confined almost entirely to conventional timbering methods. In 1947 the Bureau instituted a research program and intensive study of the general problem of roof control, which emphasized roof-bolt application. The rapid increase in mechanized mining following the close of World War II provided the impetus for the Bureau's roof-control investigations, because the vertical supports used with conventional timber restricted the maneuverability of mechanical face equipment, and the industry wanted to explore every possible method of eliminating interference with the production cycle to gain full advantage of mechanized mining. Moreover, the accidental dislodgment of vertical supports greatly increased the roof-fall hazard. As roof falls have killed and seriously injured more mine workmen every year than any other cause or classification of injury since records have been kept, the Bureau assumed this investigative leadership with the prime objective of substantially reducing the annual toll from falls of roof, including falls of rib and face.

Jan 1, 1958

By Henry P. Wheeler

H ELIUM (chemical symbol: He) is a member of a family of normally gaseous elements, which, because of their zero valence and corresponding lack of chemical activity, are called the "noble" or "inert" gases. It is a monatomic element with an atomic number of 2, and it exists naturally in two stable isotopic forms-He3, with an atomic mass of 3.0170, and He4, with an atomic mass of 4.0039. With the exception of a trace (10-6 percent) of He3, all of the naturally occurring helium is He4. Two unstable isotopes-He5, with atomic mass 5.0137, and He6, with atomic mass 6.0208-are listed by various scientists, but the existence of He5 is questioned by some of them. He6 is radioactive, with a half-life of 0.8 second. Helium was discovered in 1868 in the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the sun. Although several scientists studied the solar chromosphere that year, it is generally agreed that J. Norman Lockyer of England should be credited with the discovery of helium, which he named, deriving the word from "helios," the Greek name for the sun. It was not found on earth until March 1895, when William Ramsay of London produced a small amount from a sample of cleveite, a uranium-bearing mineral. In 1905, H. P. Cady and D. F. McFarland of Kansas found helium in natural gas produced from a well near Dexter, Kans., and for the first time a large source of helium became available.

Jan 1, 1952

By Gene R. Reid

The contract objective is the development of an Automatic Fire Control System for Mobile Underground Metal Mining Equipment. The Phase I Report, which described the projected data handling plan, was published on July 24, 1975. The Phase II effort covered the period from July 24 through December 2 and accomplished the following objectives: ? Acquisition of data in accordance with the project data handling plan. Data were acquired through visits to twenty mine sites in ten states and Canada; visits to Bureau of Mines and MESA facilities; visits to mobile equipment manufacturers; and an extensive literature search. ? Analysis of accumulated data which provided the following specific types of design inputs: selection of the type of mobile underground equipment found to represent the greatest overall fire hazard; typical operating conditions for the vehicle; characteristics of the reported fire experiences; and performance, cost and maintenance factors affecting potential purchases of automatic fire control systems for underground mining equipment. ? Development of the AFCS design concept. Utilizing the data analysis results and considering the state-of-the-art of fire control system components, a recommended design concept was developed with particular emphasis placed on the need for a low cost and reliable system. Design trade-off studies are provided for the recommended system and for four alternate system concepts.

Jan 1, 1975

By Robert A. Cummings

A rock mass classification system has been developed for recommending drift support requirements in block caving mines. This development follows a two-year program incorporating field observations of support practice and performance in rocks of different classes, at several U. S. block caving mines. Popular rock mass classification systems presently in use for tunneling were applied at the various field sites; and were evaluated for conformance with caving mine support requirements and for general utility to caving mine operations. The developed system (MBR System) accepts readily-obtainable engineering and geologic data to yield a rational estimate of support requirements. The background and development of the MBR system is described in this report (Volume I). The use of the system is given in the Manual, a separate volume (Volume II).

Jan 1, 1984

Helium has probably aroused more varied scientific curiosity than any other single element. Discovered by spectroscopic examination of the sun during an eclipse in 1868, helium is now known to exist not only in the sun and other stars but on earth occluded in minerals, accumulated with natural gases in pockets in the earth's crust, and in the atmosphere surrounding the earth. Astronomers study its presence in the various stars of the universe for clues to their origin and history. Geochemists and geologists study its occurrences in rocks, minerals, and meteorites to determine the age of the earth and the manner of its formation. Pathologists study its effect on living tissues in search for the ideal combination with oxygen for artificial breathing mixtures in medicine, diving operations, and space vehicles. Chemists study its physical properties and use it to trace the sequence of events in reactions in which it does not participate. Geneticists and bacteriologists use it for special studies. Physicists study its behavior when liquefied and the behavior of materials cooled to nearly absolute zero by its use. Nuclear physicists learn more about the universe through study of the nuclear reactions that produce it. Through study of helium and greater knowledge of its origin and properties, science continues to unlock some of nature's more closely guarded secrets. Unknown on earth before 1895, and not discovered as a minor constituent of natural gas until 1905, helium with its simple atomic structure--a nucleus with two electrons orbiting in a closed shell--is a unique element. It is next to the lightest gas, only hydrogen is lighter. It occupies position number 2 in the Periodic Table of the Elements and heads the list of so-called "rare" or ?noble? gases. Most of the naturally occurring helium has an atomic mass of 4.003874 (oxygen = 16). A trace (1.7 x 10-5 mol percent) is the light isotope helium-3 whose atomic mass is 3.0169800 Unstable isotopes of mass numbers 5 and 6 have been authenticated. Isotopes of mass numbers 7 and 8 have been reported, but their existence is less well established. All the heavier isotopes are radioactive and are the product of nuclear reactions.

Jan 1, 1968

By V. F. Parry, W. S. Landers, John B. Goodman

"INTRODUCTION The object of this investigation was to demonstrate a satisfactory method of storing slack subbituminous coal in open pits in a manner,that would minimize the cause of the physical deterioration and would have a practical application.The storage of coal by industrial plants is to their advantage, since an adequate operating supplying of fuel is available at all times as insurance against transportation delays, shortages, and strikes. Furthermore, it is possible to participate in low seasonal freight rates and mine costs by permitting the railroads to utilize idle equipment and by taking advantage of the off-peak production at the mines. For a number of years, one of the larger beet-sugar companies operating in the Rocky Mountain region has taken advantage of the lower prices and seasonal production of subbituminous slack coal during the summer months and purchased a large proportion of its requirements for the annual winter campaign. This company, operating sugar-refining plants in the 1943 campaign, used 256,613 tons of subbituminous coal. Of this quantity, 166,636 tons was purchased during the off-peak season and stored for use during the winter. It is the practice of this concern to place coal purchased through the months of January to October in underwater storage for use in the beet-sugar campaign, which lasts from October to as late as, January. The beet-sugar refining ""campaign"" period starts immediately after the beginning of the beet harvest and lasts 60 to 70 days."

Aug 1, 1946

By Joseph A. Corgan

The river- or dredge-coal industry of Pennsylvania is conducted on many of the rivers and creeks that drain the Pennsylvania anthracite fields. Coal thus recovered found its way into the streams as coal was being prepared for market by the anthracite industry proper, in the northeastern part of the State. The Principal rivers draining; the fields, those where dredging is taking place, are the Susquehanna, Schuylkill, and Lehigh. Several creeks - the Shamokin, Mahanoy, Wiconisco, and Swatara - also are productive sources of river or creek coal. Operations along the streams cover a wide territory, and along the Susquchanna alone; dredges are recovering coal for about 160 miles. Anthracite was a significant factor in the early industrial development of the United States. Industry used it to generate steam, and railroads used it as fuel for locomotives; but it probably was most important industrially in the smelting of iron ore. For more than a hundred years homes have been heated with this fuel. From the beginning of mining in 1807, to 1940, more than 4 billion net tons of anthracite had been prepared and shipped to market. In the preparation process much of the smaller-size coal and refuse found their way into rivers and creeks which carried the material many miles. This study is concerned with the recovery of that anthracite from those rivers and creeks.

Jan 1, 1942

By A. E. Ketler

This report describes a variety of coal mine lighting projects which were funded by the Bureau of Mines in order to obtain underground lighting experience in support of new lighting requirements for underground coal mines. Low coal and high coal, narrow and wide entries, conventional and continuous mining, ac and dc power, bituminous and anthracite, and machine mounting and area lighting were some of the variables covered in this program. Also evaluated was the OCENCO fluorescent caplamp.

Jan 1, 1979

By S. H. Ash

THE BARRIER-PILLAR SYSTEM in the Lackawanna Basin consists of 93 barrier pillars between Archbald and Taylor, Pa. These pillars affect 48 mines, have a total length of 87 miles, and confine 21 underground pools, which contain more than 10 billion gallons of water. From an investigation of size, position, and condition of the barrier pillars, it is apparent that those concerned are uncertain, not only as to the method by which the sizes of the barrier pillars were determined but also as to the stability of those that may be expected to act as dams. Where a barrier pillar must act as a dam, its failure may result in loss of life, the mine, or both; it would be far better had it not existed and thereby given a false sense of security.

Jan 1, 1952

By Wesley G. Holtz

A project to demonstrate the feasibility of retorting oil shale by the Paraho vertical retort process was carried out at Anvil Points, Colorado during 1974 to 1976. As a part of the demonstration project, laboratory and field tests were performed to determine the physical and chemical properties of the retorted shale for use in the development of eventual full-scale disposal plans. The material which exits from the Paraho retort is classified as a non-plastic silty gravel by the Unified Soil Classification System. The particles have an apparent specific gravity averaging near 2.60 and a mass specific gravity averaging near 2.00. The material can be compacted by normal laboratory and field construction methods to about 90 to 100 pounds per cubic foot dry density depending upon the degree of compactive effort applied. The addition of moisture does not improve compactibility appreciably. When high compactive effort is applied the retorted shale is classed as impervious to water flow. The compacted retorted shale exhibits shear strengths in the same order as those observed for silty gravel soils. If the compacted material is cured (long tune simulation testing) prior to strength testing considerable strength gain can be obtained from cementing action. The amount of cementing developed is dependent upon heat treatment and other operating modes of the retort.

Jan 1, 1976

By John F. Wiss

A series of controlled experiments was conducted at four surface coal mines to study the effects of certain blast parameters upon the ground and air vibration. Preliminary scale-model blasts were conducted at a quarry to provide basic data. It was found that the amplitudes of the ground and air vibration were controlled by the maximum explosive weight per delay. Either cube root or square root scaling could be used for the seismic amplitudes, and cube root scaling could be used for the overpressure amplitudes. Both amplitudes were not significantly affected by the total charge weight per blast, the attitude of the boreholes, or the charge length or diameter. The overpressure amplitudes were affected by the charge depth, the use of cover over surface detonating cord, and the use of adequate stemming. The length of the delay intervals and the spacing of holes were important in determining the potential for reinforcement of the amplitudes in certain directions from the blasts. In downwind directions from the blast, the attenuation of the overpressure with distance decreases. Surface terrain t did not significantly affect the overpressure amplitudes within the range investigated. The type of overburden affects the generation of both amplitudes and the propagation of the seismic amplitudes. Spectral analysis of the ground and air vibration is reported. A bibliography of pertinent literature is included as an appendix. A scaled distance of 300 ft/lb1/3 should produce a peak particle velocity of less than 1 ips and an overpressure of less than 128 dB linear peak. For square root scaling, a scaled distance of 75 ft/lbl/2 should limit the ground vibration to less than 1 ips.

Jan 1, 1978

By E. H. Burroughs

This bulletin is the fifth in the series of petroleum bibliographies publis:\:l.ed by the Bure.au of Mines, Bulletins 149, 165, 180, and 189 being compilations for the years 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918, respectively. In this bulletin the same general plan has been followed in arranging the references, but a few changes and additions have been made in the classification.

Jan 1, 1923

By John H. Soule

Although known since 1902 , the Capitan iron deposits have not been mined mainly because of the low grade of the ore . A small amount of exploratory work carried on at an early date was reported . C. E. Johnson , district engineer of the Bureau of lines for New, Mexico , visited this propert , and as a result of preliminary sampling and mapping by the Bureau3/ and the Federal Géological Survey , an exploratory project was conducted during March , April , and liay 1944. Further mapping and logging of the vagon -drill samples was done by V. C. Kelly , geologist , of the Survey .

Mar 1, 1947

By S. McGinn

The Brunswick Mine Diesel Particulate Filter Study was one of several research projects initiated by the Diesel Emissions Evaluation Program (DEEP). The study was carried out at Noranda?s Brunswick Mine in Bathurst, New Brunswick by Noranda Technology Centre and Brunswick Mine personnel with the collaboration of Natural Resources Canada - Canada Centre for Minerals and Energy Technology (CANMET), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Andreas Mayer of VERT, and diesel particulate filter (DPF) system suppliers. The study began in early 2000. Field evaluations continued for 20 months. The final report?authored by Sean McGinn?was submitted to DEEP in the Autumn of 2003.

Jan 1, 2004

By O. Llewellyn Jack

From September 1978 to December 1983, ESD Corporation (formerly a Division of FMC Corporation) undertook the development and testing of a bidirectional auger under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy. Underground testing began in August 1981 at Peabody Coal Company's Marissa Mine near Marissa, Illinois. The auger was developed to increase mine production and coal recovery without increasing land subsidence. It bored 4-foot-diameter by 10-foot-deep holes into pillars on 7-foot centers (each hole recovering 5 tons). All operating during this test was performed by maintenance personnel with the goal of finding ways to increase the machine potential. The maximum excavation rate achieved was 1.4 tons per minute. It was concluded that the concept of drilling short holes to extract coal from underground pillars without surface subsidence was practicable with a wheel mounted auger, but that more power was desirable for this mine, and that the hydraulically driven augering system that provided experimental versatility was not sufficiently reliable for production use.

Jan 1, 1983

By Leonard J. Prosser, Dennis R. Dolinar, John L. Ellenberger, Gabriel S. Esterhuizen, Anthony T. Iannacchione

The room-and-pillar mining method is used extensively in underground limestone mines in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. The rock mass is typically a near-horizontal, bedded deposit at relatively shallow depth. A survey of 34 mines was conducted in which data on roof spans, rock mass properties and support practices were collected as part of a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health research project into ground control in limestone mines. The average room width is 13.5 m (44 ft), accommodating large mechanized equipment. The results show that the immediate roof beam can consist of many individual layers and can contain several near-vertical joints. In spite of the room widths, the roof is naturally stable in many mines. Observed roof instabilities can generally be related to excessive horizontal stresses or unfavorable geological structures that cause block fallout or beam failure of the bedded roof rocks. The survey showed that the rock mass quality of the limestone does not vary significantly throughout the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. Roof conditions and the need for support were found to be closely related to the thickness and competence of the first layer of limestone in the roof. The findings highlight the need to identify local geological structures and the roof beam characteristics so that support alternatives can be evaluated. Monitoring and observational technologies that are available for identifying potentially unstable roof are presented, which include: roof characterization using the Rock Fall Risk Index, automated logging of roofbolt hole drilling, microseismic monitoring and displacement monitoring.