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By R. L. Grant

The Bureau of Mines applied automatic computational methods to analyze the degree of correlation between sound transmission and atmospheric conditions. Statistical analysis of data collected over a 5-month period indicated that the following weather variables, listed in order of decreasing importance) have a significant effect on the transmission of sound in the atmosphere: 1. Wind velocity and wind direction. Winds in the direction of travel of the sound wave increase the sound intensity and duration. 2. Barometric pressure. High pressures are related to low sound intensities and durations. 3. Atmospheric temperature. High temperatures are related to low sound intensities and durations. Inversion of the atmospheric temperature did not appear to affect sound transmission under the conditions of this study.

Jan 1, 1967

By Roy G. Stott, John A. Johnson, Floyd G. Anderson

"This information circular discusses drilling and blasting in open-cut iron-ore mines and is one of a series of papers describing iron-ore mining practices in the Lake Superior district to aid in preventing accidents in that industry.The Lake Superior district consists of the Marquette and Menominee ranges of Michigan, the Gogebic range of Michigan and Wisconsin, and the Vermilion, Mesabi, and Cuyuna range of Minnesota. Open-cut mines produce 8o percent of the iron ore mined in the district; 98 percent of the total Lake Superior district open-cut ore is produced in Minnesota and 2 percent in Michigan. The entire Wisconsin iron-ore production is from underground nines. The Mesabi range in Minnesota produced 93 percent of the open-cut iron ore and 76 percent of the total iron ore in the district in 1947.During the 8-year period 1940-47, 619,000,000 gross tons of iron ore were shipped from mines of the district, or 85 percent of the United States output. Approximately 78,000,000 gross tons of iron ore were shipped from the mines of Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 1947.This paper is based primarily on observations daring the period July 1947 to March 1948. Thirty-two open-cut mines were visited; 28 on the Mesabi range, 3 on the Cuyuna range, and 1 on the Marquette range. In 1947, 36,100,000 tons of iron ore was shipped from these 32 mines, or 59 percent of the open-cut ore and 46 percent of the total iron ore shipped from the district. During 1947 about 90 open-cut iron-ore mines were operating in the district, and the annual production of each ranged from 25,000 to 10,000,000 tons.Many recommendations included in this paper for improving safety and preventing injuries to employees were taken from Bureau of Mines Information Circular 7387.Data were collected under the direction of Frank E. Cash, former supervising engineer, Health and Safety Division, Bureau of Nines, Duluth, Minnesota. E. W. Felegy, mining engineer, Safety Branch, gave valuable assistance in reviewing and editing the manuscript.The authors gratefully acknowledge the information and assistance given and the numerous courtesies extended to them by officials of the following mining companies:All the Lake Superior iron ores occur in bedded formations that range from less than 100 feet to over 2,000 feet in thickness. These formations are designated by one commonly applied name, ""iron formations.""4/The Mesabi range in northern Minnesota, about 70 miles northwest of Duluth, was opened to mining in 1892; it is the largest single source of iron ore in the United States. It is 75 miles long and, because of the gentle dip of the ore formation, it ranges in width from 1-1/2 to 3 miles.5/ The ore formation, which is nearly horizontal, has a maximum thickness of about 450 feet and is covered by a glacial drift that ranges from 10 to over 100 feet in thickness. Most of the ore is near the surface and adaptable to open-cut mining."

Mar 1, 1950

By J. P. Connell

The U.S. Bureau of Mines awarded a contract to Morrison-Knudsen, Inc., to evaluate the use of roadheaders in underground mining operations. Road-headers were found to be widely used in mines as construction support units, as development miners, and as stoping machines. However, road-headers were found to have mechanical and electrical problems, to suffer reduced productivity when integrated into the mining cycle, and to create dust problems. Also high capital costs and low utilization and avail-ability cause high amortization costs per ton. This report identifies the roadheader operating problems and offers suggestions for improved mechanical and electrical design as well as manufacturer and owner responsibilities for improved availability. The development of a complex integrated excavation and ground support sys tern is no t warranted until the roadheader itself is made much more reliable.

Jan 1, 1980

By Lawrence G. Houk

Lithium is the lightest of all metals, but as it deteriorates rapidly in air it has no structural applications. Alloys of lithium that will float upon water can be made with other light metals, but these ultralight alloys are not useful in aircraft production or elsewhere at present. Alone or alloyed with alkaline earth meals, lithium acts as reining agent on molten metals, and as a minor constituent with other metals it imparts characteristic properties to the allay. Lithium compounds have somewhat wider application in commerce than either the metal or the alloys. They are used in the glass, ceramic, chemical, and air-conditioning industries and less extensively in the optical, pharmaceutical, electrical, and textile industries. The United States is the leading producer anti consumer of lithium ores and compounds and apparently has the largest known ore reserves. The value of lithium ores and primary chemical byproducts produced is relatively small, yet the lithium chemical industry yields products worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, owing partly to the high degree of purity demanded by the trade for most finished products and to the low combining weight of lithium. Fortunately, the low-grade ores can now be concentrated economically, and this fact, together with our extensive reserves, assures adequate supplies to meet any reasonable increase in demand. Lithium is listed as essential by both the American and British war agencies, and its military importance may be greatly enhanced.

Jan 1, 1942

By Roy L. Grant

The Bureau of Mines investigated the up-and-down method with factorial designs to determine if shorter, and therefore less costly, trial sequences could be used. Although sequences of 50 trials are usually recommended, sequences of 20 trials were arbitrarily chosen for the experiments with permissible coal mine explosives described in this report. These explosives were fired from a cannon pointed into a flammable natural gas-air atmosphere at the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Center gallery to ascertain their safety properties. The investigation demonstrated that the shorter sequences led to useful conclusions with a reduction in cost of the experimental program.

Jan 1, 1967

By Pamela J. Watson

This report presents a Bureau of Mines literature survey that provides a data base useful for current and future studies in the area of chemically enhanced drilling and cutting. Publications describing laboratory testing and field studies of drilling and cutting with chemical additives are reviewed. Significant results are summarized and tabulated by rock or material type and also by chemical additive, with extensive references. Selected studies related to fluid-enhanced processing or material testing are summarized in the appendixes.

Jan 1, 1985

By J. B. Littlefield

[A rulp has i~c+:r. ilrsi i,nsd Lo O~JPY:L~ e the mid~ol Llf;pin.5cr rll~!-t-.cxny)lin:: apparatus recently c',ov~-lo.pe;t by tL1e '.liro:ul of !dines- For th-is pilryoac, a po?.-iti~rs-nct.i?~. pvrni? t:,.;~t v:i.l.'l. :.-,,- #?,n c-noot'fl ;L flow nc possiY,].c? is dcni?.oYle. Flota.lS:r vnnc\-t:rre 1jl:~l~l: zrt iln~;xtJsY:or (2s thc:; n1lr.t ke tvrned at h ityh spet.d for rT:oot,c, o;?ey,;ltiori., ~nd at hi:,h s~ee(' the c8n:xcity oi' the s-n:r.llest piqt ott:~ir?:zk?e Is too la~-~:c. nir crrn'rle bler! in nt the intn?~, but t,he mm;nt o nor.;: l.o'q7r ir.:,l soon t ire:. the oyernt or]

Jan 1, 1938

By Ronald T. Mayerle

There are no producing or developing mines in the Rattlesnake RARE II area. Specific areas with mineral occurences are prospects for: 1) stratabound copper and silver in Belt sedimentary rocks on the northwest border of the study area; 2) base metal sulfides, in thin veins and shear zones in Belt sedimentary rock, and diabase dikes and adjacent metasedimentary rocks in the southern part of the study area; 3) barite in sedimentary rocks near Rattlesnake Creek and Sheep Mountain; 4) limestone near Rattlesnake Creek and Blue Point; and 5) silica in quartz veins near the headwaters of Rattlesnake Creek and Sanders Lake. Stone, sand and gravel suitable for construction material are in the study area; however, equal or better quality deposits are common throughout the region. The RARE II area has no known oil and gas, coal, or geothermal energy deposits.

Jan 1, 1983

By H. W. Sheffer

Technical and economic aspects of community refuse disposal systems and their effects on the environment are identified and described. Seven landfills and two incineration systems, located throughout the United States, are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1971

By T. M. Romslo

The Lake Shore property, located in the early 1880's, contains copper-bearing deposits that have been developed by surface excavations, underground workings, and churn-drill holes. Operation of the property ended in 1929 with a total recorded production of 280,000 pounds of copper. The property is near the foot of the Slate Mountains, which are made up mainly of probably the Pinal formation of pre-Cambrian age. In the mine area there are a few outcrops of granite, which is exposed over a large area east of the property. Other outcropping rocks on the property are limestone, quartzite, and diabase. The limestone and quartzite probably are the Mescal and Troy formations of pre-Cambrian and Cambrian age, respectively. The predominant copper mineral is chrysocolla, a hydrous silicate that occurs mainly as fracture filling in bedded schist. It is also, the principal copper mineral in the shear zone at the schist-granite contact and in limestone southeast of the main workings. Investigation of the Lake Shore property by the Bureau of Mines included both topographic and geologic mapping, exploratory drilling, and metallurgical test work. One diamond-drill, hole and five churn-drill holes were completed for a total of 2,872.5 feet. Drilling started January 19 and was completed May 13, 1949.

Jan 1, 1950

By B. M. Stewart

Researchers at the U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted a long-term groundwater monitoring and site characterization program at an abandoned 10-ha, acid-producing, copper-gold tailings impoundment in north-central Washington State. The purpose was to investigate contaminant release and transport, and attenuation mechanisms in the tailings, sediments below the tailings, and gravels downgradient of the impoundment. This report summarizes the monitoring results and physical properties of the tailings, the sediments below the tailings, and the groundwater system associated with the tailings. Water samples from the vadose and saturated zones of the impoundment were analyzed for 15 constituents. Concentrations of the same constituents were determined in water samples up to 3 m beneath the impoundment and in the shallow colluvium and deep bedrock at 76, 335, and 550 m downgradient and 168 m upgradient. Constituent concentrations within the tailings are quite variable and are influenced by pH, depth of oxidation, grain-size differential (surface area), hydraulic gradient, groundwater mixing, and the presence of hardpan layers, carbonaceous material, and organic matter. Most of the metal constituents decreased to background or near-background concentrations in the farthest downgradient well.

Jan 1, 2010

By J. E. Tiffany, N. A. Tolch

The Pittsburgh Experiment Station has made a survey of the properties and characteristics of the brands of fuse manufactured in the United States ; 25 samples were procured from 4 manufacturers representing the different brands offered on the market when the investigation was begun . It is believed that the field was completely covered except for special fuse made to order for a particular job .

Jun 1, 1934

By H. B. Hill

The discovery of the Oklahoma City field and its .rapid development into one of the major oil-producing districts is an outstanding epoch in the history of the petroleum industry not only of .Oklahoma but also of the United States. The relatively great depth to which the wells were drilled and the large initial production of high-gravity oil are of special significance. The field has boon under proration almost from the time that its development began, and many new production problems have developed out of the changed conditions of operation. The discovery well was first tested in December 1928 at a depth of 6,402 feet, with an initial production of 4,847 barrels of 38.5° A.P.I. gravity and several months later was completed at a depth of 6,624 feet. The large initial production, the high pressure, and the large gas volume in the different horizons of the discovery well suggested the potential possibilities of gas and oil, production in formations of Pennsylvanian and pre-Pennsylvanian age.

Jan 1, 1933

By F. X. McCawley

The Bureau of Mines, in pursuing its goal of extending the life span of strategic materials, conducted field corrosion studies at the East Mesa Known Geothermal Resources Area (KGRA) in the Imperial Valley, Calif., to determine the optimum materials of construction for use in geothermal mineral energy resource recovery plants. These studies included characterization of geothermal environments and in situ corrosion testing. The corrosion resistance of 10 alloys exposed to 5 brine and steam process environments was evaluated using the low-salinity, high-temperature brine from geothermal well Mesa 6-1. Of these alloys, Hastelloy C-276, Hastelloy S, Incone1 625, titanium-2nickel, and 316 L stainless steel had excellent resistance to corrosion in all of the process environments; E-Brite 26-1 and 430 stainless steel had fair resistance. Although general corrosion rates for 4130 steel and 1020 carbon steel were substantially higher than those of the other iron-base alloys, these two alloys could prove useful in low-salinity process environments because of their low cost. Aluminum alloy 5005 was the least corrosion resistant alloy and pitted severely. Scales formed on all of the alloys in every process environment. Calcite, aragonite, and an amorphous silicate were the major components of the scales.

Jan 1, 1980

By Robert V. Spencer

"This report describes an examination and preliminary exploration of the Magnet Cove Rutile Co. property in Hot Spring County, Ark. The company in 1944 was producing titania for use in-the welding-rod and metallurgical industries but later ceased operations. The deposit appeared to contain potential reserves of rutile ore, and the Bureau of lanes in 1945 conducted an examination designed (1) to obtain samples for ore-dressing tests and (2) to gather information regarding the grade, character, and size of the deposit. This report presents the data obtained by geologic mapping, geophysical surveying, churn drilling, and core drilling. Beneficiation tests are being made at the Bureau of Mines Rolla, No. station, on the samples taken and will be discussed in a later report.The Magnet Cove operation had been called to the attention of the Bureau of Mines, and in view of the potential reserve of titanium-bearing material, it was decided to obtain samples for ore-dressing tests. Churn drilling was selected as a means of obtaining representative samples, and geologic mapping and geophysical surveying were done to throw more light on the nature of the deposit. Subsequently, a few holes were core-drilled.The property contains the NE1/4, W1/2 fractional NW1/4 and 82 acres of the N part of SE of sec. 18, and -29 acres of the SW1/4 NW1/4 sec. 17, all in T. 3 S., R. 17 W., Hot Spring County, Ark. The mine and mill are about 1 mile by graveled road northeast of U. S. Highway 270, a paved road connecting Malvern, 10 miles south and Hot Springs, 12 miles west. The area is served by two railroads, the Missouri Pacific, which passes through Malvern and Hot Springs and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific,,has a line connecting Malvern and Hot Springs an passes about 2 miles south of the property. A natural-gas pipe line and an electric power line reach the property."

Sep 1, 1946

By Jay F. Colinet

Respirable dust exposure has long been known to be a serious health threat to workers in many industries. In coal mining, overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can lead to coal workers? pneumoconiosis (CWP). CWP is a lung disease that can be disabling and fatal in its most severe form. In addition, miners can be exposed to high levels of respirable silica dust, which can cause silicosis, another disabling and/or fatal lung disease. Once contracted, there is no cure for CWP or silicosis. The goal, therefore, is to limit worker exposure to respirable dust to prevent development of these diseases. The passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 established respirable dust exposure limits, dust sampling requirements for inspectors and mine operators, a voluntary x-ray surveillance program to identify CWP in underground coal miners, and a benefits program to provide compensation to affected workers and their families. The tremen­dous human and financial costs resulting from CWP and silicosis in the U.S. underground coal mine workforce are shown by the following statistics: ? During 1970?2004, CWP was a direct or contributing cause of 69,377 deaths of U.S. underground coal mine workers. ? During 1980?2005, over $39 billion in CWP benefits were paid to underground coal miners and their families. ? Recent x-ray surveillance data for 2000?2006 show an increase in CWP cases. Nearly 8% of examined underground coal miners with 25 or more years of experience were diagnosed with CWP. ? ?Continuous miner operator? is the most frequently listed occupation on death certificates that record silicosis as the cause of death.

Jan 1, 2010

By J. G. Kirby

According to the Bureau of Mines annual survey, there were 318 petroleum refineries in the United States with a total daily crude throughput capacity of 8,632,390 barrels as of January 1, 1956. Compared with the previous year the total number of refineries declined 8 while the crude throughput capacity increased 211,760 barrels daily. Three refinery districts accounted for 90 percent of the crude-oil capacity increase, the California district 34 percent; the Texas Gulf Coast district, 31 percent; and the Indiana-Illinois-Kentucky district, 25 percent. Decreases in capacity during the year were reported for the East Coast, Appalachian #1, and the Arkansas-Louisiana Inland districts. The capacity of the average refinery to process crude oil increased during 1955 from 25.830 barrels daily to 27,145.

Jan 1, 1956

By Larry A. Haas

The chemistry of current or potential SO2 removal processes can be placed into four categories: (1) reduction, (2) Liquefaction, (3) direct dissolution, and (4) oxidation. Methods that involve reducing SO2 to elemental sulfur appear promising since this product can be easily handled, shipped, and stock- piled. Unfortunately, SO2 cannot always be reduced directly when other oxidizing agents are present. Thermodynamic data indicate that some oxidizing reagents will also consume reductant at the reduction temperature. A two- stage process can be applied to waste gases that contain excessive quantities of oxygen, nitrogen oxides, and water vapor. The best sorbent for the first stage appears to be a nonalkali or nonalkaline earth medium since this medium more readily releases the SO2 for reduction in the second stage.

Jan 1, 1973

By John W. Buch

This is the first progress report to be released on the anthracite, mechanical mining research and engineering development program of the Bureau of Mines. This phase of Bureau work, which was initiated as an aid to stimulating wartime production of anthracite, has been continued after the war to assist primarily in improving the general economic position of the anthracite industry. Field work was started in. the 1945 fiscal year with the cooperation of an advisory committee representing management, labor, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For a beginning, several matters were suggested by members of this advisory committee as being worthy of investigation, and sections of underground mines yore offered for test purposes. Among the suggestions accepted for investigation was the problem of increasing the rate of advance for driving gangways in thin, steeply pitching anthracite beds 4 to 6 feet thick and pitching 60 degrees or more. The problem was undertaken as a field study, and this report relates to accomplishments on this project to June 30, 1947.

Jan 1, 1949

By Lucien Eaton

The mining methods described in this paper are those used in a large mine producing hard specular ore on the Marquette Range in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Although the conditions of mining are unique in this district, they are similar to those in many other districts, and information in regard to the methods used and the results obtained should be of interest. The methods now used are an outgrowth of those of former years which have been adapted to conform with improvements in mechanical appliances, changes in the wage scale and labor supply, and the' selling price of the product. The mine is situated' at Ishpeming, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 16 miles west of Marquette, its shipping port on Lake Superior.

Jan 1, 1929