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By J. B. Clemmer

Fluorspar is one of the most important nonmetallic minerals and is used extensively in the metallurgical, ceramic, cement, and chemical industries. The steel industry consumes most of it, but as the Mineral is the chief source of fluorine, it is becoming increasingly valuable to the chemical industry in the production of fluorine compounds. The development of nontoxic organic fluorides for use as refrigerants in mechanical refrigeration and air-conditioning units illustrates the increasing use of fluorspar in the chemical industry. Most domestic flurospar comes from deposits in the Illinois-Kentucky district, which centers around Rosiclare, Ill. About a dozen companies operate in the district, which comprises parts of Pope and Hardin Counties in southern Illinois and Crittenden, Livingston, and Caldrell Counties in western Kentucky. According to the latest available statistics, this district supplied 165,960 short tons of fluorspar in 1937, compared with the total domestic production of 151,230 tons. Imports totaled 37,063 tons.

Jan 1, 1939

By V. B. Dale

This is one of a series of reports covering the mineral resources of the Nation. It describes briefly most of the known tungsten deposits in Yuma, Maricopa, Pinal, and Graham Counties, Ariz. Most of those described were examined by the author. An effort was made to determine the position of the various deposits by section, township, and range and to give accurate road direction to each property from a prominent landmark. All available maps have been used in making these determinations, but in unsurveyed areas it was necessary to make approximate projections of subdivisions. The township and range numbers refer to the Gila and Salt River base and meridian.

Jan 1, 1959

By G. M. Potter

During the investigation of the occurrence of manganese deposits in the western United States, examining engineers of the Bureau of Mines collected samples from four properties in Siskiyou and Mendocino Counties northern California. As the ores were too low-grade to be acceptable to manufacturers of ferromanganese, beneficiation studies were made between 1941 and 1945 to determine the amenability of the ores to concentration. The Johnson and Reynolds properties are near Fort Jones Siskiyou County. The ore occurs in a number of small lenses in that area. Samples were taken for testing for amenability to treatment in a small custom-gravity plant, tentatively planned. by the Waiter Johnson interests of San Francisco. A 2-ton representative sample was obtained from numerous exposed portions of an outcrop on the property of the Mayland Mining Co. The Mayland mine is about 8 miles from Sawyers Bar in Siskiyou County. The ore body consists of stringers and irregular masses of oxide, and. silicate ore scattered through quartz, which these minerals have replaced.

Jan 1, 1952

By R. G. Knickerbocker, A. L. Fox, J. Koster, P. R. Perry

"During the past several years, alunite from the Marysvale (Utah) region has been the subject of investigation by the Electrometallurgical Section of the Bureau of Mines. The nature and occurrence of this mineral, with considerable data on the Utah deposits, together with a number of results of preliminary experiments, have been given in a previous report. 6/ The geology of the Marysvale region has been reviewed recently. 7/The present paper reports the results obtained by a method involving the sintering of alunite with boric acid and subsequent treatment of the sinter to produce alumina and potassium sulphate.The preliminary work just mentioned had given indications of the separation of sulphate salts high in potassium from fusions of alunite with borax glass.During the course of further work along those lines, fusions of boric acid and alunite were tried. No separation of salts was obtained, but it was observed that rather complete removal of so3 from the alunite occurred and that the sinter could be leached with water to give a solution contain¬ing most of the potash and a residue containing most of the alumina. The reaction that takes place can probably be written 8/:"

Mar 1, 1939

By Peter D. Lohn

The Bureau of Mines conducted both laboratory and field investigations to study the effectiveness of medium-pressure (up to 30,000 psi) water jets in controlling the generation of airborne respirable dust during the hydraulic fragmentation of coal. Laboratory studies were conducted at the Farmington High Energy Test Site of the Twin Cities Mining Research Center, and field studies were carried out at the Humphrey No. 7 mine, Mount Morris, Pa., in the Pittsburgh coalbed. The water jets were produced by commercially available triplex pumps. The dust samples were collected by midget impinger samplers, and analyzed by electronic and optical counting techniques. Respirable dust concentration for a full-scale production model was projected at below 2 mg/m3, the maximum exposure allowed by the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.

Jan 1, 1975

By Cleo Griffith Rall

The method for determining the effective porosity, of oil- and gas- bearing sand described in this report is a development of an earlier method devised by Bureau of Mines. The apparatus has been improved and made more convenient to use, but the procedure has been in use for many years without essential changes. A tabulation at the end of the report gives the results of more than 2,000 porosity determinations for oil sands in the fields of 13 states. A selected bibliography of articles containing descriptions and evaluations of various methods of determining porosity Is a. part of this report. The method was devised and developed at the Petroleum Experiment Station at Bartlesville, Okla., as part of the Bureau's research on fluid-energy relationships and ,on methods of improving the recovery of crude oil from underground reservoirs.

Jan 1, 1949

By Robert W. Freedman, Robert L. Craft, William G. Humphrey

As part of a continuing effort to reduce the weight and bulk of equipment that mining personnel must carry underground, the Bureau of Mines and the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration (MESA) investigated accurate and convenient gas samplers for use by mine inspectors in sampling mine atmospheres. The samplers are septum-stoppered glass vials commonly used for routine blood sampling. These lightweight, compact samplers yield results comparable with those obtained with conventional bottle samplers of 250-ml nominal capacity.

Jan 1, 1975

By Zsuzsanna Zborovszky

Experimental study directed toward gaining improved understanding of the exact mechanisms causing ignition in the PTB breakflash. Investigation and comparison of tungsten and copper wires as to their ability to cause hot wire ignition. Evaluation of the importance of discharge duration in the ignition process. Study of the parameters influencing the duration of a discharge (minimum discharge voltage, purity of electrode materials, purity and properties of the gaseous atmosphere contaminations, deposits on the electrode surface).

Jan 1, 1976

By A. L. Service

The four periods of test operation described in Report of Investigations 5219 indicated that planer mining of phosphate rock was feasible. Corrective measures proposed for design deficiencies indicated in test 4 had to be evaluated, however; and, before the attempt to design a prototype production model, it was considered advisable to test the original machine under more severe operating conditions. Planer A was modified, therefore, during the latter half of 1955, and one additional period of experimental operation was conducted in the Anderson mine of the Montana Phosphate Products Company near Garrison, Mont., during the first 4 months of 1956. Test 5 was made in a stope, where the phosphate bed had been offset in a number of places by minor faults. Considerable difficulty was found in negotiating the irregularities caused by these faults, and productionwise the test was not as successful as some of the previous ones. Information obtained, however, was valuable in designing model B.

Jan 1, 1959

By David Schlain

The galvanic corrosion properties of titanium in contact with commercially pure aluminum, copper, or type 302 stainless steel in some of the common organic acids were investigated. Acids used in these experiments were 10 percent formic, acetic, lactic, citric; 1 percent oxalic and tartaric; and 9 percent oxalic. Electrode-potential measurements and several types of galvanic couple experiments were carried out. Solutions were aerated by three methods: Flow of air, flow of helium, and natural aeration. Work was done at 35° C. with couples consisting of equal areas of the 2 metals. Titanium was resistant to corrosion in most of the organic acids studied, whether alone or in contact with a dissimilar metal. However, titanium coupled with aluminum did corrode in 1- and 9-percent oxalic acid solutions. Contact with titanium usually caused aluminum to corrode by galvanic action. Copper was subject to galvanic attack in 10-percent acetic acid with a flow of air. Contact with aluminum to some solutions in which titanium is ordinarily inert and noble with respect to aluminum caused titanium to corrode

Jan 1, 1956

By Richard D. Miller

The helium resources base of the United States was estimated by the Bureau of Mines to be 961 Bcf as of January 1, 1983. These resources are divided into four categories in decreasing degree of assurance of their existence: (1) helium in storage and in proved natural gas re- serves, 271 Bcf, (2) helium in probable natural gas resources, estimated at 202 Bcf, (3) helium in possible natural gas resources, estimated to be 351 Bcf, and (4) helium in speculative natural gas resources, which makes up the remaining 137 Bcf. These helium resources are further divided into depleting, nondepleting, and stored classifications. The depleting resources are those associated with natural gas fields that are, or will be, produced for the natural gas they contain. All of the helium in potential (probable, possible, and speculative) natural gas resources is included in this classification. These depleting resources are estimated to contain 789 Bcf of the total helium resource base. Helium resources contained in nondepleting natural gas resources, those in shut-in, abandoned, or otherwise nonproducing natural gas fields, are estimated to total 134 Bcf. There is 38 Bcf of helium in storage in the Federal Government- owned Cliffside Gas Field near Amarillo, TX.

Jan 1, 1985

By E. J. Matson

From February until July 1943 the Bureau of Mines conducted an exploration project at the Majuba Hill mine to determine tonnage aria grade of the copper and tin ore and to search for extension of the mineralization. The work comprised sampling, long-hole drilling, underground excavation, and ore-dressing test.

Jan 1, 1948

By R. E. Morgan

[IN COMPILING the table of analyses of this bulletin every available source of information was studied. These sources, as listed at the end of the table, were many and varied, and it believed that the tabulation gives the best general information obtainable. However, its known accuracy and completeness of coverage necessarily fall far short of published data on coals of the United States. A table of world production of coal and lignite, as and published by the Bureau of Mine, of world resources of coals, brown coal, and lignite, as published in the Yearbook of the World Power Conference, 1948, are included for convenience of the reader. The six continental maps at the end of the bulletin show the general location of the principal coal fields.]

Jan 1, 1952

By Douglas A. Donato

This Information Circular presents the MULSIM/PC system of numerical modeling computer programs developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. This system consists of four programs: PREMUL, the preprocessor or mesh generator; MULSIM/PC, the actual numerical modeling program (number cruncher); MUL3D, a three-dimensional postprocessor; and MUL2D, a two-dimensional postprocessor. These programs were specifically designed to operate on IBM-compatible (MS-DOS-based) personal computers for easy transfer of this technology to the mining industry and academia. MULSIM/PC uses a subvariation of the boundary-element method, namely, the displacement-discontinuity technique, for linear-elastic geomechanical analysis of mine plans in one or two parallel underground tabular deposits. Results calculated by this technique include stresses and displacements as they relate to changing mine geometries and materials. In addition to describing the MULSIM/PC program and its features, and providing a detailed example model, this report also documents the associated preprocessing and postprocessing programs that are part of the MULSIM/PC system. User's guides for all the programs are contained in the appendixes following the main report.

Jan 1, 1992

By E. D. Eastman

"The factors that determine the efficiency of reduction of iron oxides by gaseous reducing agents may be considered in two classes; those which effect the equilibrium between the reacting substances end their products, and those which affect the rete of reaction. Both sets are of prectical importance, the former as influencing the maximum possible efficiency and the latter as determining what fraction of the maximum yield may be readily or profitably obtained. In addition, the thermal changes attending the reduction greatly affect the chance of successful industrial application of any such process, and knowledge of them is necessary for the intelligent design of apparatus and control of the reaction. Some aspects of each of these three divisions of the problem are discussed below.I. The Maximum Reducing Power of Fuel Gases on the Oxides of IronsThe gases that heve been considered specifically in this work are coal gas, water gas and producer gas, typical analyses” of which are given in Table 1 Of the various hydrocarbons represented in Table 1, (several being grouped or averaged as C2R4), methane is the only gas assumed to be capable of existence at appreciable pressures under the conditions of interest here. The equilibria in the several systems which may ensue when one of the above gases is allowed to react with the iron oxides, may therefore be represented in the most general case by equations of the type of the following arbitrarily chosen ones:"

Jun 1, 1923

By H. L. Riley

This report describes the methods and equipment used by the Watauga Stone Co. to drill and blast limestone in a two-level quarry, and to crush, screen, blend, and load this stone. Power requirements per ton of stone produced are reported. The personnel requirements for individual phases of the operation are tabulated in man-hours per ton of stone produced.

Jan 1, 1963

By F. F. Hintze

In the group of minerals used in making this study, the cyanite is associated with quartz, mica, and feldspar in the schist. The amount of quartz is variable, but it is always an abundant mineral. Both large and small crystals of quartz occur in irregular masses, rarely ever showing crystal outline. Mica Is of the clear and dark varieties, the larger crystals being dark as a rule, and the finer crystals of light color. The present mineralogical composition of the mina is rather variable, as most of the original biotite and muscovite have suffered alteration, and much secondary mica is present as a result of alteration of the original mica and other minerals present, especially the larger cyanite crystals. A large part of the mica now found in the ore is chlorite, with varying amounts of Jefferisite and others, especially sericite. These are in the form of aggregates, or felt-like intergrowths filling the spaces between the quartz, cyanite, and feldspar. The feldspar is plagioclase probably mostly albite. It is white, possesses good cleavage, and is one of the hard brittle minerals of the rock. It alters to kaolin, and sericite, and more or less of these alteration minerals are present within the feldspar crystals but not separated from them. The cyanite is of two varieties, distinguished by their colors as blue and white cyanite. The blue color varies in intensity, being a pronounced blue in some crystals and paler in shade in others. Some crystals have been seen which posses the blue color in one-half of their mass and are pure white or clear in the other half. The purity of the cyanite is probably not affected by the color, but it is difficult to detect the white cyanite in the ore by macroscopic examination, so that great care has to be exercised in the selection of the ore in the field. Of the above minerals, cyanite is the heaviest, having a specific gravity of 3.6; none of the others approach it in specific gravity. The usual as opiates of cyanite in the mica schists are garnet, magnetite, and tourmaline, but these have not been noted in the group of minerals treated, and their absence is a point of great value in favor of this ore, as they possess high specific gravities and interfere in separation processes, and if not separated they are detrimental because of their easily fusible character. Small amounts of apatite and titanite have been noted, but not enough to cause trouble.

Jan 1, 1931

By H. H. Schrenk, L. B. Berger, Robert L. Beatty

"INTRODUCTION Toxic oxides of nitrogen 5/ are formed or liberated in many industrial process and may constitute a definite hazard to the health of persons exposed to the atmospheres thus produced. Oxides of nitrogen occur in the gases involved in the use of explosives, in the gasoline products of welding operations in the exhaust of internal-combustion engines, in the vicinity of electrical discharges, in the combustion of nitrated materials, and in chemical process involving nitration or the use of nitric acid, Itis evident that oxides of nitrogen may constitute an occupational hazard in many industries, and therefore it is important that those concerned with the control of such hazards be equipped with a technique suitable for the determinations of oxides of nitrogen in the concentrations of,hygienic significance."

Feb 1, 1943

By Lloyd Williams

1. The investigation shows that the Sewanee bed is the only bed of major importance in Marion County, 97 percent of the coal mined in the county having come from this bed. There are coal reserves in minor quantity in the Battle Creek bed, and production from this bed depends on a few small truck mines. The Richland bed, or Lower Sewanee, has been mined in the past, but no coal has been produced from it in late years. There are no production records of any other beds in the county, although same coal has been produced from them. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and on 1,800 tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated to be 61 million short tons as of January 1, 1953. Of this total, 55 million short tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed were omitted from the estimate where available data relative to the bed characteristics are too meager to permit making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.

Jan 1, 1955

By A. H. Warner, G. A. Morrison

"INTRODUCTION The brown-iron ores of the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee extend north and south across the State for 115 miles. Many prospects of iron ore are known in this area.The district is credited with an output of 8 million tons of washed ore prior to 1930. Records on past shipments of ore indicates that the grade was probably 45 to 50 percent iron, 0,7 to 1.25 percent phosphorus, and 10 to 21 percent insoluble.As part of a survey of the iron resources of the Appalachian area, the Bureau of Manes began exploration .of the Churchwell and Robinette properties April 16, 1945, and continued until July 25, 1945, during which time 122 feet of test pits were sunk and 667 feet of churn drilling was completedPROPERTY AND ACCESSThe Churchweil property and that part of the Robinette tract north of U. S. Highway 64 are reported to be owned by the heirs of William Millsaps.The Churchwell property is northeast of Waynesboro, the county seat of Wayne County (fig. 1), and is east of Forty-Eight Creek, between Duggar Branch on the north and Little Forty-Eight Creek on the south.The property is reached from Waynesboro by traveling U. S. Highway 64 east 8 miles to Forty-Eight Creek, thence north on a secondary road 2 miles, to where Little Forty-Eight Creek joins it, thence by an old logging road up the hill half a mile to the property.The Robinett tract lies 1 mile southeast of the Churchwell and is reached by traveling east from Waynesboro on U. S. Highway 64 and a distance of 6.7 miles, and then turning left on an old logging road and following the ridge 2 miles to the prospect."

Oct 1, 1946