Search Documents

By E. D. Gardner

Oil shale, a long-considered potential source of motor fuel in the United States, is found over an extensive area in the Green River formation in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.4/ Oil has been retorted commercially from shale in Scotland for many years,5/ and work done by the Bureau of Mines and other investigators has shown that it is technically feasible to extract oil from American shales.6/ By refining, the shale oil may be converted into marketable products similar to those manufactured from crude petroleum. The present paper, which was finished in 1936, discusses methods that would be adaptable to mining certain American shales, and the treatment applies specifically to conditions iii the Green River formation on Naval

Jan 1, 1942

By Juh W. Chen

A process for recovery of energy from waste coal fines was investigated. The process, which was developed through laboratory, bench, and pilot plant scale experiments, consists of mechanical cleaning followed by high temperature oil agglomeration and pelletization. The process can produce a quality product under an economically and environmentally acceptable condition. Waste coal fines with ash less than 35: and HHV greater than 6,000 BTU/1b have been upgraded to a product with less than 15% ash and HHV Greater than 11,500 BTU/lb. A computer model has been developed to optimize the processing costs and to perform economic evaluation of specific sites. Ultimately tine model can be utilized to establish a priority listing for a region in assisting the determination of reclamation strategy.

Jan 1, 1983

By D. K. Ingram, P. Jurovcik

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identified hearing loss as the most common job-related disease in the United States in its 1996 National Occupational Research Agenda. Previous studies by NIOSH have shown that operators of surface drill rigs without cabs are commonly exposed to A-weighted sound levels exceeding 90 dB. During hammer-drilling, A-weighted sound levels exceeding 100 dB were recorded at the operator station. NIOSH collaborated with a local drilling company to design and install a partial cab between the operator and the drill steel in an effort to reduce the sound level at the operator station. Sound level measurements in the field show the partial cab reduces the A-weighted sound level by 5 to 9 dB at the operator’s left ear and 2 to 5 dB at the operator’s right ear while hammer-drilling. This paper briefly discusses the preliminary design of a cab and the testing of materials for construction of the prototype. An explanation of the ideas behind the prototype design and fabrication are covered. Finally, the field test method and results are discussed in detail.1

By Bradley V. Johnson

This publication summarizes the in-house and contract research and development projects conducted since 1974 by the Bureau of Mines for the control of noise and vibrations from surface mine blasting.

Jan 1, 1982

By D. Christofferson

This final report documents the cooperative efforts of the Engineered Systems Division and the Mining Equipment Division of FMC Corporation during performance of Bureau of Mines Contract H0252091. Improved operator compartments incorporating overhead canopies, logical arrangements of controls, and design features offering greater operator comfort were developed and retrofitted to the FMC 320A roof bolter and 6L shuttle care The vehicles were evaluated in underground operations at separate mine sites. The successful evaluation has resulted in incorporation of the designs as standard features of the 320A roof bolter, and the 5L, 6L, and 10L shuttle cars.

Jan 1, 1978

By Chas. F. Jackson

This circular is an abstract of a manuscript-completed in August 1932, which cannot be published in its entirety due to lack of printing funds. It was originally planned to publish the manuscript as one of a series of bulletins dealing with the mining and milling of ores of the principal metals. Because of the common association of lead and zinc minerals in many ore deposits, and because a considerable proportion of the zinc produced in this country is obtained as a by-product of lead mining or vice versa, it seemed necessary to treat the mining and milling of lead and zinc ores in the same volume.

Jan 1, 1934

By M. P. Hardy

Copper-Nickel ores in northeastern Minnesota could establish a new industry in a region where underground mining has not been active. This study reviews geotechnical data relevant to the selection and design of underground mines in this region and by numerical structural analysis evaluates the importance of some geotechnical parameters to mine method selection. Because of the rapid development of computer modeling many new techniques have become available for modeling rock mass behavior in recent years. An overview of these methods is presented and their applicability to mine design reviewed. Methods included in this summary were the differential continuum models, such as finite Pint and finite difference, integral continuum models, such as boundary element, displacement discontinuity and boundary integral equation methods, and discontinuum methods such as the distinct block model. The displacement discontinuity method was used to evaluate the influence of geotechnical parameters on some aspects of mine design. Three problems; room stability, pillar stability on a weak inclined contact and sill pillar thickness influence on sill pillar stability, were analyzed to evaluate the relative importance of insitu stress field and joint properties on design. It was concluded that for stability analysis the initial horizontal stress is of most importance in all aspects of design. The position, orientation, persistence and strength of joints is also of primary concern. In a more general sense, however, it was concluded that detailed geotechnical parameters have much less influence on mine method selection than more general factors such as rock quality, initial stress state, orebody shape and economics.

Jan 1, 1978

The Bureau of Mines is responsible for a broad spectrum of programs for meeting the diverse and changing mineral resource needs of the Nation. These programs are managed by the Director and two Deputy Directors, who formulate general policy and program direction from the Washington, D.C., headquarters. A senior advisory staff, consisting of the Chief Staff Officer, Chief Scientist, and Chief Mining Engineer, provides advice and consultation to the Director on a wide range of scientific and technical matters and acts on behalf of the Director to maintain liaisons with other government agencies, mineral industries, and professional societies. Bureau program activities are classified into two major functions: (1) Developing new and improved technology that will make the production and processing of minerals more efficient, safer and more healthful for mineral workers and the public, and more compatible with a quality environment.

Jan 1, 1979

By L. C. Brichta

The Canyon Diggings zinc-lead deposit is in an area of structural deformation of sedimentary rooks in Newton County, Mo., 14 miles southeast of Joplin, within the southern limits of the Tri-State district. Mining and milling on the several tracts covering the area had been carried on sporadically since 1900, and incomplete records show a production of 1,341 tonsof zinc and lead concentrates. On the northern part of the deposit the predominant metal is which occurs as galena, cerrusite, and pyromorphite in broken chert near the surface. On the southern part, lead is subordinate to zinc, which occurs mainly as carbonate and silicate minerals in brecciated chert to a maximum depth of about 150 feet. Analyses of samples from Bureau of Mines drilling indicate that approximately 77 percent of the zinc and 50 percent of trio lead i8 in nonsulfide minerals resulting from the oxidation of sphalerite and galena. Between August 12, 1948, and October 5, 1949, the Bureau of Mines investigated the deposit by churn drilling and sampling 85 holes aggregating 10,571 feet of bore and sampling two mill-tailings dumps and three mine dumps. Factual data on the investigation and the logs of Bureau of Mines drill holes are presented in this report.

Jan 1, 1950

By H. G. Wolfhard

The propagation of explosions through short cylindrical channels has been investigated by the Bureau of Mines. In the experimental apparatus set up by the Bureau, a single such channel formed a connection between a small explosion vessel in which a gaseous explosion was initiated and a larger, partly enclosing, explosion vessel filled with suitable gaseous mixtures; the larger vessel permitted observation to determine if an explosion was induced therein by mass, energy, and species transfer through the channel, as a result of tie initial explosion, It has been found that transmission of flame through to channel is not an essential to induce the second explosion, for hot gases from an extinguished explosion are able to ignite cold combustible mixtures in the larger vessel. The schlieren patterns of flames or hot burned gases emerging from a channel into the explosion chamber were photographed. These show, in most instances, that vortexes of hot gas ejected from the jet into the cold explosive mixture are responsible for ignition. The study has practical significance in problems of rendering electrical equipment safe for use in potentially flammable atmospheres, INTRODUCTION The propagation of flames through cylindrical or annular channels has practical importance in flameproofing electrical equipment and for flame traps. Much practical work has been done to determine the minimum safe breadth of flanges and the maximum safe gap between the flanges that will permit venting an electric motor without allowing flames to pass.

Jan 1, 1959

By Walter D. Holland

This instructors guide is intended for use in a course which teaches metal and non-metal mine inspectors to perform surveys for inhalation contaminants in above ground metal and nonmetal mine work areas. The handbook entitled "Handbook for Surveys of Inhalation Contaminants in Above Ground Metal and Nonmetal Mining and Processing Work Areas? is used as a manual during the course. The manual contains a survey check list, rules for determining if sampling is required, a list of most frequently encountered contaminants, a list of candidate contaminants and their sampling conditions, and a description of control procedures and devices. There are several experiments in this guidebook which the trainees perform to acquaint them with the sampling systems.

Jan 1, 2011

By Robert H. Merrill

Several investigators have obtained solutions for the concentration of stress around circular, ovaloidal, elliptical, and rectangular holes in an elastic, isotropic, semiinfinite plate subjected to uniaxial and biaxial stress. These solutions are used to evaluate the changes in stress around openings immediately under the undercut normally used in conventional block caving operations. The evaluations are based on the assumption that a horizontal undercut removes most of the vertical component of a biaxial stress field. The location and magnitude of the significant changes in stress concentration around the opening are computed. Conditions under which the assumptions used in the evaluations may or may not be consistent with conditions around block caving mines are discussed, and examples of preferred opening shapes for a biaxial (hydrostatic) stress field are shown. This report is a summary of one phase of an investigation to establish design methods for the size and shape of mine openings used in block caving mining methods .

Jan 1, 1962

By E. Chin

The Asia and the Pacific region has large mineral resources of antimony, barite, bauxite, bismuth, copper, fluorspar, gold, graphite, iron ore, magnesite, mica, rare earths, salt, talc and pyrophyllite, titanium, zinc, and zirconium. The region overall lacks large resources of oil and natural gas, but it has large resources of anthracite and bituminous coal. In terms of exploitation, many minerals, metals, and fuel are produced in significant quantities in the Asia and the Pacific region as shown in table 1. Collectively, the area accounts for a substantial amount of the world production of antimony, barite, bauxite, fluorspar, gold, graphite, ilmenite and rutile, iodine, iron ore, lead, magnesite, manganese, nickel, salt, tin, tungsten, and zinc. Total coal production of the region exceeds 1.6 billion metric tons. The production of bituminous coal accounts for more than 80 % of the total output. China is the region's largest coal producer, with an output of almost 1.1 billion tons. Other major producers are Australia and India. The combined production by Australia, China, and India is more than 1.5 billion tons or 93 % of the area's output. The remainder of the coal output in the region comes from Afghanistan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, the Korean peninsula, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The production of crude oil throughout the Asia and Pacific region is close to 2.4 billion barrels. China and Indonesia together account for 67 % of the total output. The remainder of the output is primarily from Australia, Brunei, India, and Malaysia. Indonesia is the largest producer of natural gas in the region with an output of close to 58 billion cubic meters, followed by Malaysia and Australia with 23 and 22 billion cubic meters, respectively. Other producers in the region of lesser stature by output include Brunei, China, India, and Pakistan.

Jan 1, 1993

By Bryan R. Carmenati

This report documents the need for formal health and safety, and equipment operations training in the mine construction industry. The outlines, objectives, and training texts were developed based on the recommendation of needs of mine construction personnel, and those of Dames and Moore (Safety Analysis of Shaft Sinking operations, 1977) and Kinton, Inc. (A Training Program for Conventional and Raise Drill Construction Personnel; Phase I, 1979). The training material samples contained herein (and under separate cover in its entirety) are designed to improve the safety and production of those in mine construction. An instructor-directed presentation is recommended. The results of the study are presented in the Findings and Recommendations section of this report.

Jan 1, 1982

By William R. Vogel

The Bureau of Mines Minerals Information organization collects worldwide data on virtually every commercially important nonfuel mineral commodity. These data form the base for tracking and assessing the health of the minerals sector of the U.S. economy. This data collection activity was instituted by the 47th Congress in an appropriations act of August 7, 1882 (22 Stat. 329), to place the collection of mineral statistics on an annual basis. The most recent authority for the Bureau of Mines Minerals Information activity is the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-479, 96th Congress), which strengthens protection for proprietary data provided to the U.S. Department of the Interior by persons or firms engaged in any phase of mineral or mineral- material production or consumption.

Jan 1, 1988

By J. S. Megahan

This report covers the design, fabrication and testing of the first and second generation mechanical scaling bars for more safely removing loose rack from mine roofs and walls. Included are discussions covering a survey of mine conditions and presently used hand scaling bar types as well as the design, fabrication and testing of the first and second prototype.

Jan 1, 1982

By Christopher C. Jobes, Alan G. Mayton

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers have investigated seat design issues for the occupants and operators of underground mine transport vehicles relative to whole-body vibration (WBV) and mechanical shock. Considering the ergonomic and engineering improvements made to underground mine shuttle car seats, this study has focused on reducing injury risk by improving seating on transport vehicles such as scoops, mantrips, personnel carriers, and rail-mounted locomotives. Similarly, proposed seat design improvements included layering of various types of viscoelastic foam padding to isolate vehicle occupants and operators from adverse health effects of jarring/jolting exposure. This paper discusses the results obtained from laboratory vibration testing of new seat padding materials in seven configurations at the NIOSH – Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) showing that careful use of configuration and materials can reduce the operator’s exposure to WBV. In addition, results for four mine transport vehicles are presented from field data collection efforts at a Southwestern Pennsylvania mine showing that a NIOSH based design does reduce the operator’s exposure to WBV. Finally, the authors discuss efforts to develop and field test seat padding interventions using new padding materials and configurations based on the laboratory test results [The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.]

By T. C. Woo

This report describes the program that studied the theoretical and practical aspects of the belt cleaning systems, investigated-the possibilities of a self-replacing and/or sell-adjusting belt cleaning device, and designed a horizonal pentagonal turret setup for the underground mine belt conveyors. This design resulted from comprehensive literature survey (both academic and commercial), actual mine visits, study of the mechanics of belt cleaning and bench-type experiments. It has complete working drawings and rough cost estimates.

Jan 1, 1977

Norton Co., a manufacturer of abrasive products and diamond drilling and coring bits for oil and gas exploration, is building a $19.1 million addition, scheduled for completion in late 1980, to the Huntsville, AL. The plant makes alumina-zirconia abrasive grains used in grinding wheels and coated abrasives. ALUMINUM Martin Marietta Aluminum Inc. announced plans to expand production capacity of its 112,000-ton-per-year primary aluminum smelter at Goldendale, WA to 177,000 tons per year. The $125 million expansion was scheduled to come onstream in 1981. The Aluminum Company of America announced plans to restart a fourth potline during October at its 185,000-ton-per-year Point Comfort, TX primary aluminum smelter.

Jan 1, 1979

By Steven R. Munts

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated mines, prospects, and mineralized areas in the South Providence Wilderness Study Area (WSA) in 1982. No mines are currently operating in the WSA, however, the Golden Gift Mine in the southeastern part of the WSA produced $6,800 1/ worth of gold and silver and five mines adjacent to the east boundary of the WSA had a total production of about $3,500,000 1/ in gold, silver, lead, and copper. There is no recorded placer gold production. Over 350 lode and placer mining claims are in and immediately adjacent to the WSA. Of these, 74 were actively held (1982) and at least one area, which is partly within the northeast portion of the WSA, was being actively explored by private industry in 1982. Adjacent to the southeastern border of the WSA the Big Horn Mine contains an estimated 200,000 tons of indicated and inferred marginal reserves averaging 0.25 oz/ton gold; and the Hidden Hill Mine has 550 tons of subeconomic resources averaging 0.60 oz/ton gold. An additional 11,000 tons of marginally economic gold-bearing dump reserves average 0.17 oz/ton gold at the Bighorn, Hidden Hill, and the Buena Vista Mines and the Midas Touch Prospect. Sample analyses indicate eight mines and prospects in, and five adjacent to the WSA may have additional gold-silver-lead-copper vein-type resources. Five of these prospect areas may have a disseminated gold resource and one may have gold resources in a skarn. One prospect may have a porphyry-type copper-molybdenum resource. Although gold placer claims were filed sporadically throughout the WSA, none appears to have placer gold resources. Likelihood for mining is greatest at the Big Horn Mine; if a mill is built there, it could process Big Horn Mine ore, ore from the Hidden Hill Mine, and gold-bearing dumps at the Big Horn, Hidden Hill, and Buena Vista Mines and the Midas Touch Prospect. All of these resources are adjacent to the WSA; however, their development would increase likelihood for development of resources in the WSA. Two major fault zones (the Hidden Hill, and the Big Horn) appear to have controlled the mineralization at many of the prospects and mines. All of the prospects or mines with vein-type occurrences and resources are on or adjacent to one of these fault zones. Veins throughout the eastern half of the WSA contain various amounts of gold, silver, and copper; only veins near the Big Horn Mine and in the northeastern corner of the WSA contain lead. Some veins are as thick as 6 ft, are traceable intermittently for over 2 mi along strike, are sporadically mineralized, are encased in prophylitic, argillic, and phyllic altered host rock, contain pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, specularite, barite, or fluorite, and display multiple stages of quartz veining and (or) brecciation. Sample analyses at five prospects (map nos. 3, 18, 23, 24, and 31) indicate they may have disseminated gold resources. To date no oil or gas has been discovered within the WSA. However, some oil and gas leases are currently (August 1982) held within this study area.

Jan 1, 1984