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By Jose R. Hernandez-Aguilar

"Three models to predict the effect of bubble size (Db) on metallurgical response were tested in a pilot-scale flotation column at Teck Highland Valley Copper mine. The column was fed with slurry collected from the Cu/Mo separation circuit. The first model was the one developed by Gorain et al. (1997), which assumes that the collection zone rate constant (kc) is inversely proportional to Db. The second model was the one proposed by Hernandez-Aguilar et al. (2010), which considers kc as an inverse square function of Db. The third model was the one developed by Yoon and Luttrell (1989) which provides expressions to describe the efficiency of particle collection (E) based on first principles. The results showed a significant bias between experimental and predicted data using the model of Gorain et al. (1997), possibly reflecting the model’s inability to explain the impact of bubble size, bubble rise velocity and flow regime on E. The model of Hernandez-Aguilar et al. (2010) well described the experimental evidence. The model of Yoon and Luttrell gave accurate and unbiased predictions. However, Yoon and Luttrell’s approach calls for a criterion to determine whether the flow regime is potential or intermediate, a subject that requires more fundamental research.INTRODUCTIONParticle collection, i.e., bubble-particle collision followed by attachment, is the basis of flotation. In a quiescent environment (such as the one observed in a column, or away from the impeller in a mechanical cell), a collision event can take place as long as the “degree of turbulence” caused by the rising bubble does not prevent particle and bubble to flow in close proximity. Upon collision, the particle slides on the bubble surface for a period of time. If the particle is hydrophobic, attachment occurs when the “sliding time” is longer than the “induction time”, which is the time required to thin and rupture the intervening liquid (usually water) film forming a three-phase contact angle. While the induction time is largely influenced by the degree of hydrophobicity of the particle, the degree of turbulence is governed by the bubble size. Generally, direct control of bubble size is not exercised by most mineral processing practitioners, in spite of its obvious importance. Studies to model the effect of bubble size on particle collection using fundamental approaches have been conducted (e.g., Anfruns and Kitchener, 1977; Webber and Paddock, 1983; Yoon and Luttrell, 1989; Dai et al., 1999). However, these models have been validated under highly idealized laboratory conditions (micro-scale experiments using single minerals and uni-sized bubbles), far from resembling those existing in practical industrial applications. Fundamental studies to interpret the effect of bubble size on particle collection in industrial environments are largely absent in the literature. Partly because of this lack of practical knowledge, many mineral processing practitioners perceive laboratory “bubble size” studies to be valuable academic exercises, but not something that can be directly applied to daily production issues."

Jan 1, 2011

By W. Pawlak, J. Janiak, C. Rodkiewicz, B. Ignasiak

"There is a general consensus that, in order to widen the utilization of Western Canadian coals, a major effort must be devoted to their transportation, utilization of fines, beneficiation and mining techniques. It is postulated that the concept studied extensively over the last four years at Alberta Research Council (ARC), and based on a combination of hydraulic mining, selective agglomeration with bitumen and/ or heavy oil, pipeline transportation and oil recovery from agglomerates, offers a particularly attractive solution to the problems associated with extraction, beneficiation, transportation and utilization of Western bituminous and subbituminous coals. Results of preliminary experimental work on the feasibility of pipeline agglomeration of metallurgical coal and hydraulic transportation of agglomerates are presented and discussed in the context of conventional agglomeration techniques in stirred tanks. IntroductionAlberta is endowed with enormous reserves of low-sulphur coals which could attract considerable attention of potential customers, but the remote location of this province handicaps its competitiveness on the world market. It is known that Alberta's Cretaceous, particularly metallurgical, coals differ significantly from their Carboniferous counterparts; current R&D work on indigenous coals should continue to expand in order to encourage overseas client s to use these coals more extensively.There is a genera l consensus that, in order to widen the utilization of Western coals, a major effort must be devoted to their transportation, utilization of fines, beneficiation and mining techniques."

Jan 1, 1986

Production In 1993, it was estimated that United States mine production of barite increased 24%. Barite consumption, either sold or used by grinding plants, increased by 39% and imports increased 4%, according to the US Bureau of Mines (USBM). Nevada continued to be the leading producer of barite with 80% of the total, followed by Georgia. It is estimated that 83% of the domestically mined barite was used as a weighting agent in drilling fluids. The remaining 17% was used in barium chemicals, glass or as a filler. Most of the production from Missouri, Georgia and Tennessee was used in the non-oilfield sector. Prices The value of domestically produced barite, f.o.b. mine, decreased 1%, according to the USBM. The declared value c.i.f. US port of all imported crude barite during 1993 decreased from $40.09/t ($36.37/st) in 1992 to $37.72/t ($34.22/st). Uses Of the total barite used by grinding plants and chemical manufacturers, it is estimated that 90% was used in drilling fluids and 10% in the non-oilfield sector. This included barium chemicals, fillers in paper, plastics, brake shoes and glass. The tonnage consumed in the drilling fluids market increased due to the higher average rig count during 1993. The average number of rotary rigs operating in the United States was 754, 5% greater than the 1992 average of 717. Imports Crude barite imports in 1993 were 443 kt (488,000 st) greater than 1992, representing an increase of 137%. Imports accounted for 67% of the barite consumed (apparent) in the United States.

Jan 1, 1994

The strippable reserves of bituminous coal and lignite in the United States were calculated in accordance with the prevailing conditions of seam thickness and depth of overburden in each of the several coal-producing areas of the Nation. Within defined limits of seam thickness and depth of overburden, it is estimated that there was a remaining strippable resource of 118 billion tons of raw bituminous coal and lignite as of January 1, 1968. Because of topography, natural and manmade features, and other limitations, only 45 billion tons of the resource are strippable reserves. Of this, 32 billion tons is considered low-sulfur (less than 1 percent), 4 billion tons is medium-sulfur (1 to 2 percent), and 9 billion tons is high-sulfur (over 2 percent) coal. Owing to a cleaning loss affecting that portion of strip coal that is mechanically cleaned, the 45 billion tons of strippable reserves are reduced to 39.6 billion tons of marketable coal. A brief discussion is given for each coal-producing State, summarizing past and present production, historical background, and outlook. Appendix A contains reserve data by State, county, seam, and sulfur content. Appendix B contains the general information and requirements necessary to comply with the current strip mining laws covering 20 States.

Jan 1, 1971

By Irving Hartmann, Edward Thomas

"INTRODUCTION Adoption of rubber-tire shuttle cars underground in conjunction with mobile coal-loading machines has introduced new problems in the control of dust on mine roadways. Where this type of loading and transportation is used, development and extraction are generally rapid, with the result that much coal is spilled from the shuttle cars during normal operation, Coal in the roadways from this source and from sloughing of the ribs is ground to fine dust by the wheels of the 'shuttle cars and by the treads of the loading and mining machines. The coal dust usually is somewhat contaminated by pulverized rock, and the mixture could not be loaded with the run-of-mine coal without undue contamination of the product even if it were cleaned up promptly.The presence of large quantities of fine, loose dust, which is constantly stirred up and kept in suspension in air by the traffic, constitutes a grave explosion hazard, reduces visibility along the roadways, and is physiologically harmful to the workmen who breathe the air. From the operating standpoint the loose material is undesirable along the roadways because it provides poor traction for the trucks and thereby increases wear and power consumption. The dust-explosion hazard could be eliminated or reduced by frequent application of sufficient rock dust on the roadbed; but this would not remedy the other difficulties, and in fact it might intensify them. Where practicable, the most direct and effective safety measure is to clean up and remove promptly all dust that forms and settles on the roadways. Unfortunately, in many cases this procedure is not feasible. A third Suggested remedy is to prevent dispersal of the dust into the air and to promote its consolidation on the floor by wetting the dust particles.During the past few years several mines have used calcium chloride on shuttle-car roadways to allay the dust thereon. When exposed to the' humid atmosphere of the mine this salt absorbs Moisture from the air and deliquesces, and in this way wets the dust on the floor of the roadway. In a survey conducted in coal mines in southern West Virginia and in eastern Kentucky where calcium chloride has been in use, somewhat conflicting re- ports were received regarding the merits of the application, and several operators have abandoned the practice either because of actual or assumed disadvantages. The purpose of the study described in this report was to collect and correlate evidence and, on the basis of experimental data obtained in the field and in laboratory tests, to present a clearer picture of the factors involved in the allaying of dust by use of salts."

Sep 1, 1945

By Roberto Vargas

"El presente Trabajo de Investigación, tiene por objeto describir la tecnología, la operación del Proceso en la Planta que implementa dicha tecnología así como los resultados obtenidos en dicho Proceso y aplicaciones de la tecnología a otros tipos de concentrados de cobre (Enargita). "

Sep 1, 2017

By J. J. Wallace

This report describes the initial phase of Bureau of Mines research in the hydraulic mining of bituminous coal. The mining site and equipment are described, and the test procedures and results obtained with a bar-mounted monitor are given. Tests showed that hard Pittsburgh-bed coal can be mined hydraulically from a solid face at water pressures of 4,000 pounds per square inch.4 Coal was penetrated to a depth of 4 feet in 20 seconds with 225 gallons of water per minute coming from a 3/8-inch nozzle at 4,000 pounds per square inch pressure. Some difficulty was encountered in cutting the binders occurring in the coal; it was not possible Lu penetrate directly the overlying draw slate.

Jan 1, 1961

By P. S. Kotval

THE nominal composition of "hconel" alloy 718 is 53 pct Ni-19 pct Cr-19 pct Fe-3 pct Mo-5 pct Cb-0.8 pct Ti-0.6 pct A1-0.05 pct C. The nature of the fine strengthening phase in this alloy has been open to debate. iseelstein' has identified the strengthening phase in the matrix of "Inconel" alloy 718 as a colum-bium-rich fcc y' precipitate. Wagner and Hall2 have noted that the metastable y' precipitate overages to an orthorhombic Ni3Cb precipitate which manifests itself as an acicular phase. These authors thus clarify Kaufman and Palty's earlier suggestion3 that the strengthening phase is orthorhombic NisCb. Wagner and Hall's review also reports work by cometto4 which suggests that the fine strengthening phase is not fcc / but bct with a Ni3V type structure and based on the Ni3Cb composition. Kir man and warringtons have shown by analysis of electron diffraction patterns that the metastable strengthening phase in a 55 pct Ni-15 pct 0-25 pct Fe-5 pct Cb alloy is bct and based on the Ni3Cb composition. Raymond~ has provided electron diffraction evidence which indicates that "y'" in "Inconel" alloy 718 is bct in structure. This note presents unambiguous data on the structure of the strengthening phase in "Inconel" alloy 718* ihe samples of this alloy were provided by courtesy of the ASTM task group on phase identification in 'superalloys. after prolonged aging. The electron diffraction patterns presented show that strengthening phase is not y' but bct as was proposed by cometto,' supported by Raymond,~ and identified by Kirman and warringtons in a similar system. Fig. 1 shows a selected-area diffraction pattern taken from a thin foil of "Inconel" alloy 718. The sample had received a final aging treatment of 1118 hr at 1200°F to precipitate the strengthening phase in the matrix. Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the features in the diffraction pattern. The matrix orientation is (0i2)~,, as is shown by the indexed zone in Fig. 3. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate that the pattern, Fig. 1, is composed of three bct zones, viz., (0i4), (2i0), and (i01), respectively. These three zones correspond, respectively, to the alignment of the c axis of the bct unit cell with the [001], [loo], and [OlO] directions of the fcc matrix and serve to illustrate the fully coherent relationship of the precipitate structure with the matrix. The streaking of certain reflections is also consistent with the above orientation relationship. The interpretation of the diffraction effects presented here shows the metastable strengthening precipitate in "Inconel" 718 alloy to be bct in structure and demonstrates that it is not an ordered fcc y' phase.

Jan 1, 1969

By Hernán Parra

El presente trabajo señala la fase de tratamiento metalúrgico de pirrotitas que contienen oro, donde en la concentración por flotación se encontró un esquema adecuado para tratar pirrotitas auríferas considerando las restricciones ambientales que no permitieron incorporar técnicas de cianuración directa, que es como suelen tratarse es-tos minerales en el mundo. Asimismo, se propuso el uso de concentradores centrífugos para recuperar el oro libre fino en una primera etapa gravimé-trica, y concentradores de mesa Gemeni para obtener concentrados de alta cali-dad disponibles para fundición.

Sep 9, 2007

By Anderson Dana

THIS PAPER describing methods and costs of mining and preparing gravel and sand for market at the Port Jefferson plant of the Seaboard Sand and Gravel Corporation, is one of a series of articles on gravel and sand mining, prepared for and published by the U. S. Bureau of Mines, which is designed to disseminate technical information regarding the methods used. The cost tabulations represent operating expenditures only and not total costs, It is recognized that publication of total costs might in many instances cause embarrassment to individual producers, as well as to the industry as a whole. On the other hand, operating costs are essential to the technical [ ]

Jan 1, 1932

By R. O. Dannenberg

The Bureau of Mines conducted laboratory batch and small-scale continuous tests to remove traces of dissolved molybdenum from water simulating waste discharged from a molybdenum concentrator, Molybdenum concentrations, initially ranging from 2 to 10 ppm, were decreased to 0.5 ppm or less by coprecipitation of the molybdenum with freshly precipitated ferric hydroxide" The precipitate was separated as a froth by dissolved-air flotation for subsequent disposal. Although the treated water met current environmental standards for contained molybdenum, contained particulate iron might have to be removed by filtration for the water to be acceptable. Estimated costs for treating concentrator effluent water were 55 cents, 57 cents, and 64 cents per 1,000 gal at initial molybdenum concentrations of 2, 4, and 10 ppm, respectively.

Jan 1, 1982

By P G. Gaylard

The minerals Industry carries out over US$ 2 billion of R&D annually. The R&D is performed at three levels ? in house research facilities; on a one-on-one basis with a research provider; as syndicated (collaborative) research. The key to a successful R&D programme is project selection. It is suggested that at this time of ?bounty? for the minerals industry the research portfolio should contain some ?blue sky? but potentially long term significantly beneficial projects. This said, the projects should align the technical concepts with the business imperatives. AMIRA has found the ?Road Map? concept has assisted in defining areas for R&D. Examples of this methodology using a Copper Road Map developed by AMIRA for the copper producers operating in South America is presented. The benefits derived from syndicated research are also discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By B. J. Moore

This publication contains analyses and related source data for 269 natural gas samples from wells and pipelines in 18 States. All of the samples were obtained and analyzed during, calendar year 1979 as a part of Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free market economies. This survey has been conducted in the United States by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. In late 1965, the survey was expanded to include foreign gasfields. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and a special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4862 and 576.3 The results of the investigation of the occurrences of helium are published annually to make the information available as soon as possible to the gas industry and the general public. Twenty-one previous publications have presented tine results of 11,883 gas analyses made prior to 1979. The first three, Bulletins 486,4 576,5 and 617,6 contain analyses and related source

Jan 1, 1980

By Allen J. Johnson

Anthracite coals have been divided into three groups: (I) meta-anthracite, a high-carbon coal that is usually very slow to kindle and difficult to burn, at least on conventional equipment; (2) anthracite, a high-carbon low-volatile coal of widely accepted value as both a domestic and industrial fuel; and (3) semianthracite, a coal lying between anthracite and bituminous coal in carbon and volatile content, and also, generally speaking, in burning characteristics. Anthracite Groupings The technical differentiation between these groups, as defined by the A.S.A.-A.S.T.M. Sectional Committee on the Classification of Coals, is as shown in Table I. Tables 2 and 3 show typical analyses of anthracites and semianthracites and Figs. I to 3 show graphically the range of analytical samples. Table 4 shows the commercial sizes of coals. Meta-anthracite and Graphitic Anthracite Typical analyses from virtually every field in the United States indicate that there are few if any extensive deposits of meta-anthracite. Some of the anthracites of Rhode Island contain almost negligible quantities of volatile and would thus fall into the meta-anthracite grouping on a basis of analyses alone. However, their other characteristics indicate that it is doubtful whether they should be considered as fuels at all, but rather as graphite. In fact, this material is being mined for use as foundry facings and furnace linings.4 A typical analysis of Fenners Lodge graphite,4 from Rhode Island, is: graphitic carbon, 55.9 per cent; silica (ash), 40.6; sulphur, 1.6; moisture, 1.9; volatile, o. Other Rhode Island coals possess percentages of volatile that would throw them into the normal anthracite rather than the meta-anthracite class. However, this "volatile" is nearly all noncombustible,3,4 being composed almost entirely of carbon dioxide and inert gases, therefore its definition as volatile is open to discussion, leaving the exact classification of the fuel a moot question. One factor is certain, Rhode Island coal is so different from nor-mal anthracite in both analysis and burning characteristics that it should have a

Jan 1, 1944

By Allen J. Johnson

Anthracite coals have been divided into three groups: (I) meta-anthracite, a high-carbon coal that is usually very slow to kindle and difficult to burn, at least on conventional equipment; (2) anthracite, a high-carbon low-volatile coal of widely accepted value as both a domestic and industrial fuel; and (3) semianthracite, a coal lying between anthracite and bituminous coal in carbon and volatile content, and also, generally speaking, in burning characteristics. Anthracite Groupings The technical differentiation between these groups, as defined by the A.S.A.-A.S.T.M. Sectional Committee on the Classification of Coals, is as shown in Table I. Tables 2 and 3 show typical analyses of anthracites and semianthracites and Figs. I to 3 show graphically the range of analytical samples. Table 4 shows the commercial sizes of coals. Meta-anthracite and Graphitic Anthracite Typical analyses from virtually every field in the United States indicate that there are few if any extensive deposits of meta-anthracite. Some of the anthracites of Rhode Island contain almost negligible quantities of volatile and would thus fall into the meta-anthracite grouping on a basis of analyses alone. However, their other characteristics indicate that it is doubtful whether they should be considered as fuels at all, but rather as graphite. In fact, this material is being mined for use as foundry facings and furnace linings.4 A typical analysis of Fenners Lodge graphite,4 from Rhode Island, is: graphitic carbon, 55.9 per cent; silica (ash), 40.6; sulphur, 1.6; moisture, 1.9; volatile, o. Other Rhode Island coals possess percentages of volatile that would throw them into the normal anthracite rather than the meta-anthracite class. However, this "volatile" is nearly all noncombustible,3,4 being composed almost entirely of carbon dioxide and inert gases, therefore its definition as volatile is open to discussion, leaving the exact classification of the fuel a moot question. One factor is certain, Rhode Island coal is so different from nor-mal anthracite in both analysis and burning characteristics that it should have a

Jan 1, 1944

By J. R. Thoenen

This circular is part 6 of the third paper (entitled "Excavation") of a series summarizing the technical problems involved in the production and preparation of sand and gravel. Part 1 discussed the use of power shovels, draglines, and excavator cranes; part 2, power scrapers, slackline cableway excavators, and hydraulic monitors; part 3, hydraulic, clamshall, ladder, and diaper dredges; part 4, haulage equipment, particularly industrial cars with locomotive or hoist as the motive power; part 5, conveyor belt, motor truck, pump and pipe line, towboat and barges, and aerial-trams haulage. This circular discusses the application of these various types of equipment to the different types of sand and gravel deposits and contains a reference bibliography. It completes the discussion of excavating problems.

Jan 1, 1936

By C. S. Giggins, F. S. Pettit

The oxidation of Ni-Cr alloys in 0.1 atm of oxygen has been studied at temperatures between 800" and 1200°C. For alloys with 30 wt pct or more Cr, continuous layers of Cr2O3 are formed during oxidation. In the case of alloys with chromium concentrations between approximately 5 to 30 wt pct, external scales of Cr203 are formed over grain boundaries whereas internal precipitates of Cr2O3 and external layers of NiO are formed at other areas on the alloy surface. When such conditions are present on the alloy surface, chromium diffuses laterally from those areas covered with a continuous layer of Cr2O3 to areas where a Cr2O3 sub scale exists and it is possible for the sub-scale zone to become separated from the alloy by a continuous layer of Cr2O3. Whether such a state will be attained depends upon the initial grain size of the alloy and the oxidation time. When the concentration of chromium in the alloy is less than 5 pct, Cr2O3 is formed internally both at grain boundaries and within the interior of grains and the alloy is covered with an external layer of NiO. MECHANISMS which describe the growth of oxide scales on nickel-base superalloys are complex and the effects produced by the various elements in these alloys on the oxidation behavior of superalloys are not clearly understood. In order to determine the influence of the different elements on the oxidation behavior of superalloys, it is first necessary to examine the oxidation properties of binary nickel-base systems which contain the principal elements present in the superalloys and then progressively more complex systems until compositions typical of the superalloys are attained. Chromium is present in virtually all nickel-base superalloys and the purpose of the present studies was to examine the selective oxidation of chromium in Ni-Cr alloys. The oxidation characteristics of Ni-Cr alloys have been extensively studied1-" to date principally as a result of the high oxidation resistance exhibited by some of these alloys. Ni-20Cr* has long been known *All compositions are given as wcight percent unless specified otherwise. to be oxidation resistant and is commonly used as resistance heating elements for service temperatures up to 1100°C. This alloy cannot be used for extended periods of time at higher temperatures because of the apparent reaction of the external scale with oxygen to form gaseous CrO3. In spite of the considerable work cited above some important aspects of Ni-Cr oxidation still remain unresolved. Virtually all of the previous studies agree that small additions of chromium to nickel, e.g., <10 wt pct Cr, result in increased oxidation rates as compared to that of pure nickel, whereas larger additions, e.g., 20 to 30 wt pct Cr, form alloys with substantially lower oxidation rates. The controversial aspects of the oxidation mechanisms for these alloys that still remain unresolved are as follows: 1) A description of the oxidation mechanism for the low chromium alloys. 2) A description of the oxidation mechanism for the high chromium alloys, particularly with respect to the composition of the external scale which results in the lower oxidation rates. 3) The specific alloy compositions at which the oxidation mechanism changes from that obtained for low chromium contents to that of the high chromium alloys and the reason for this transition. EXPERIMENTAL The Ni-Cr alloys listed in Table I were prepared from high purity metals by nonconsumably arc melting and casting as buttons. These alloys were then given a preliminary annealing treatment in argon at 815°C for 100 hr to promote homogeneity. Each button was cut into 0.250 in. thick sections that were subsequently cold-rolled to 0.050 in. thicknesses and annealed in argon at 815°C for 48 hr to provide a twinned, equi-axed grain structure. The grain size for these alloys was not uniform and the limits, within which the average grain size lies, are given in Table I for the single-phase alloys. All the alloys were single phase with the exception of the Ni4OCr alloy in agreement with the Ni-Cr phase diagram.&apos;&apos; Rectangular specimens were cut from the sheet to provide surface areas of approximately 2.5 sq cm. Exact areas were determined with a micrometer after surface preparation was completed. All of the specimens except the Ni-40Cr alloy and pure chromium were polished through 600-grit Sic abrasive paper, ultrasonically agitated in ethylene trichloride, rinsed with ethyl alcohol, and electro-polished. The specimens were electropolished in a 10 vol pct H2SO4 (conc), 6 vol pct lactic acid, methyl alcohol solution at 70" to 80°C for 2 min at a current density of 0.8 to 1.2 amp per sq cm. This electro-polishing procedure did not produce acceptable surfaces on the Ni-40Cr alloy nor on pure chromium and the oxidation properties of these materials were obtained for specimens polished through 600-grit Sic

Jan 1, 1970

By John A. Rusnak

"This paper discusses the variation of coal strength based on the megascopic coal lithotypes for Central Appalachian high-volatile A coal beds. The composition of coal beds is complex and variable, depending on the depositional environment associated with original plant material, inflow of clastic material, and water level fluctuations in the original swamp/mire environment. Thus, different types of coal and sediment are formed within each coal bed. These differences in coal composition were first classified by Marie Stopes, a paleobotanist, in 1919. The classic coal megascopic lithotypes are vitrain, clarain, and durain, which correspond to bright, bright banded, and dull coal, respectively. Stopes also identified that the lithotype fusain, which is mineral charcoal, has no inherent strength and can act as a plane of discontinuity. In this study, two other coal-bed lithologies are also considered—bone and carbonaceous shale. This makes for a comprehensive suite of coal-bed stratigraphic components apart from rock partings. A total of 1,000 uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and 440 indirect tensile strength (ITS) tests were conducted on cores from southern West Virginia that were specifically logged and described using the megascopic coal lithotype nomenclature. Statistical analysis is presented showing the results for each lithotype group with mechanical properties correlated to the lithotype. Previous studies have analyzed the mechanical breakage properties associated with coal lithotypes, which correlate well with these results. However, coal rank does appear to be a contributing factor, and this study is confined to only high-volatile A bituminous rank. Application of these results would be well suited to a rock mass classification system to address coal pillar rib stability. This would allow for rib support design and implementation to consider relative coal strength by visual observation of the seam stratigraphy through ongoing observations within a mine. Changes in seam composition can be readily identified, allowing the adjustment in rib support design. Another application would be for the determination of numerical modeling inputs based on detailed seam stratigraphy. However, these results, even with the standard strength reduction criteria, may not be applicable to currently accepted empirical coal pillar design procedures."

Jan 1, 2017

By Arno C. Fieldner

The objectives of the coal-research activities of the Bureau of Mines are very well expressed in the organic act of Congress establishing the Bureau. It reads as follows: That it shall be the province and duty of the Bureau of Mines, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to conduct inquiries and scientific and technologic investigations concerning mining, and the preparation, treatment and utilization of mineral substances with a view to improving health conditions, and increasing safety, efficiency, economic development, and conserving resources, through the prevention of waste in the mining, quarrying, metallurgical and other mineral industries; to investigate explosives and peat; and on behalf of the Government to investigate the mineral fuels and unfinished mineral products belonging to, or for the use of, the United States, with a view to their more efficient mining, preparation, treatment, and use; and to disseminate information concerning these subjects in such a manner as will best carry out the purposes of this act.

Jan 1, 1946

By Newell Alford

AT its meeting in the fall of 1937, the Executive Committee of the Coal Division considered the growing scarcity of young engineers entering coal mining with serious intentions. This scarcity was the cause of con-siderable alarm and a committee consisting of C. T. Hayden, E. A. Holbrook, C. E. Lawall and L. E. Young, with the writer as chairman, was appointed to gather factual data on the current trend. A questionnaire1 was designed and mailed to the heads of the 60 mineral technology schools listed by Prof. W. B. Plank in his article in September 1937.2 Replies were received from 46 institutions, not all from heads of coal-mining courses but all from men that at one time or another have had experience with some kind of coal-mining curricula and know current student impressions. Our committee is indebted to all of these gentlemen for their cooperation. Our committee hoped by this means to quickly reach the root of the trouble and make a set of comprehensive recommendations to the Coal Division for relieving the industry immediately from the growing dearth of youth who yearn for coal-mining careers, but the condition is more serious than at first diagnosed. We must now refer the question back to the Coal Division, with the recommendation that the Division get the industry&apos;s permission for still another major operation on its frame of mind. In addition to 10-year statistics on the first pay received by graduates in coal mining and other technical work, we requested enrollment data for 20 years from all schools with either mining engineering or mineral technology curricula. Nine leading questions were also plied, as shown in the Appendix. Every one of the answers was significant and inter-esting. Fortunately, we encountered positive frankness that was extremely helpful.

Jan 1, 1938