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By J. W. Thompson

OWNERSHIP OF ORE-CONSTRUCTION OF CONTRACT. A contract between the Republic Mines Corporation and the Quilp Gold Mining Co. provided that upon forfeiture of its rights under a contract the Republic Mines Corporation was required to give a good and sufficient deed conveying to the Quilp Gold Mining Co. all ore bodies of every description lying east of the west line of the Quilp Mining Co. claim extended downward vertically and lying south of the north end line of the Quilp claim extended downward vertically and which may apex within the lines of the Surprise, an adjoining mining claim. It must be presumed that the contracting parties under such circumstances had in view their statutory rights as provided by the mining statutes of the United States, and that both were familiar with the provisions as to extra- lateral rights granted by the statute to locators of mining claims. This contract means to include all ore bodies of every description lying east (or easterly) of the west (or westerly) line of the Quilp claim extended downward vertically and south (or southerly) of the north end line of the Quilp claim extended downward vertically within the Quilp claim excepting the part that was overlapped by the Surprise claim, owned by the Republic Mines Corporation. Quilp Gold Min. Co. v. Republic Mines Corp. (Washington), 165 Pacific 57, p. 61. PURCHASE OF GAS-REFUSAL TO DELIVER SALE TO OTHERS. A gas company that had entered into a contract to purchase a quantity of natural gas refused to receive and accept the gas that was tendered on the ground that it did not conform to the requirements of the contract; subsequently the company refused to sign a writing by which it was asked to consent to the sale of such gas to other persons. But the refusal of the purchasing company to sign such a writing giving its consent or its refusal to consent to such sale did. not affect the rights of the seller to dispose of the gas elsewhere and to other persons. OWNERSHIP OF MINERALS IN HIGHWAY. All mineral deposits within the limits of a highway belong to the owner of the fee and he is entitled to remove them so long as he does not interfere with the public use of the highway. City of Scranton v. Scranton Coal Co. (Pennsylvania), 100 Atlantic 813, p. 819. SALE AND CONVEYANCE. SALE AND CONVEYANCE EXCEPTION AND RESERVATION. The owner of an undivided interest in oil and gas lands conveyed the same to certain named grantees by deed containing a clause excepting and reserving all the oil and gas produced from the undi- vided interest in the land described. The language is not apt for the creation of either an exception or a reservation, but is rather that of a layman unfamiliar with legal distinctions. Strictly and literally construed, it affords a basis for a contention that that which was excepted and reserved was not realty in any form or anything inci- dent thereto, but personalty produced from the land. Immediately following the description of the tract, the grantor excepted and reserved something from the land described. What he excepted and reserved, he excepted and reserved then, and it was from his interest in the land. The clause expressed according to the evident intention of the grantor would read: "Excepting and reserving from the above all oil or gas which may hereafter be produced therefrom." No other construction can reasonably be placed upon the language used. The carving out of a separate estate in the oil and gas in land is a common occurrence in oil and gas producing fields. Mandle v. Gharing (Pennsylvania), 100 Atlantic 535, p. 536. RESERVATION CONSTRUED AS AN EXCEPTION. Where apt words of reservation are used in a deed they will be construed as an exception where this is the evident intention of the parties to the instrument. Although an exception and a reservation differ in legal effect, yet in their creation there is no magic in words, and if the meaning is clear either expression will operate for the purpose designed. The technical distinction between an exception and a reservation is frequently disregarded in the ordinary use of the word, and whether the language used creates an exception or a reservation must be determined from the intention of the parties ascertained from the entire instrument.

Jan 1, 1917

By Ralph L. Rinehart, Wils L. Cooley

This paper summarizes recent experiments with grounding systems. Problems and potential hazards related to in-mine grounding systems are discussed. The monitoring of trailing cable ground conductors and testing of commercially available ground monitors are discussed.

Jan 1, 1975

Lower noise exposure levels for operators and cleanup personnel working in portable nonmetallic mineral crushing and screening plants.

Jan 1, 1983

By Charles L. Kimbell

For a study such as this, which summarizes and amalgamates much information collected, compiled, and utilized by the numerous U.S. Bureau of Mines country specialists and branch chiefs for inclusion in their country and regional reports that comprise the five other volumes of the international studies of the Minerals Yearbook, it is clearly impossible to cite all sources of information used in its presentation, but some recognition seems due. Generally speaking, this study and its related detailed studies on countries and areas would be much more difficult, if not impossible, without the efforts of the personnel of our counterpart agencies throughout the world. Information they collect, compile, and then publish, either in their own volumes or those of central statistical agencies in their countries, are the foundations on which this work rests. Thus, we must begin by expressing our appreciation to the multitude of persons employed by these agencies for their contributions.

Jan 1, 1993

By Raymond J. Isherwood

The U. S. Bureau of Mines has investigated the domestic primary and secondary lead smelting and refining industries to determine the economic impacts of existing and proposed environmental, health, and safety regulations. The impacts are assessed in terms of capital and operating costs for existing and alternative smelting/ refining technologies. Industry response to regulatory implementation is estimated and quantified in terms of import value from lost lead production. For the primary lead industry, regulatory compliance may add up to 1.15 ¢/lb refined lead to operating cost for rehabilitated plants. Alternative smelting/refining methods could reduce net operating costs by as much as 4.36 ¢/lb refined lead. Capital expenditures would vary from $750 to $1,000 per annual mt of smelter capacity. Secondary lead smelter operating costs would increase about 3.8 ¢/lb refined lead to comply with existing regulations. Capital expenditures would average about $124 per annual mt of smelter capacity. Implementation and enforcement of proposed regulations would result in closure of the primary lead industry and additional expenditures for compliance by the secondary lead industry. Enforcement of the most extreme proposed regulations would force the secondary lead industry to close.

Jan 1, 1988

By R. H. Sprute

This report describes a feasibility study to consolidate coal waste sludge in a 100-acre pond by applying direct current between floating and buried electrodes. The study was conducted by the Bureau of Mines under a cooperative agreement with Washington Irrigation and Development Co., located near Centralia, Wash. Part 1 covers results of laboratory tests at the Bureau's Spokane Research Center and a small-scale field test at the cooperator's coal preparation plant in western Washington. The process is efficient and cost-effective when power is applied at low current density. A proposed system, fully described in part 2, has electrodes covering 21 acres of pond surface radially arranged around a central power platform. Densification of pond contents would require 2 to 3 years of treatment. Total cost of equipment, labor, and material is approximately $500,000.

Jan 1, 1982

By John D. Corrick

A dilute sulfuric-acid leach was developed for extracting lead and copper from lead blast furnace mattes and the chemistry was defined. The possible application of Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans to the problem of salvaging lead and copper from blast furnace mattes was also investigated. Operating conditions were varied to determine their effect on the oxidation and hence extraction of lead and copper from the matte. Conditions varied were temperature, pH, reaction time, aeration in the slurry, and particle size of the matte. A set of optimum conditions were developed that resulted in maximum lead and copper sulfide oxidation. Tests employing these optimum conditions resulted in 82.3 percent of the lead and 98.7 percent of the copper being extracted by a dilute acid leach, while maximum lead and copper extracted using F. ferrooxidans was 69.8 percent of the lead and 78.4 percent of the copper. Tests conducted with a different sample of blast furnace matte indicated that the dilute acid leach might have wide application in extracting lead and copper from other such blast furnace mattes.

Jan 1, 1968

By A. R. Rule

Laboratory tests were conducted to study removal of magnesium impurities from western phosphate rock concentrates by selective leaching. The systems evaluated included leaching with dilute sulfuric acid, with ammonium sulfate, and in an aqueous medium with sulfur dioxide gas. Set standards for the magnesium impurity level of phosphate rock concentrates are not available, but industrial practice has indicated that magnesium in excess of 0.3 percent MgO causes problems in phosphoric acid manufacture. Removal of magnesium was accomplished with all three systems. With dilute H2S04 the magnesium level was reduced to less than 0.1 percent MgO with an accompanying P205 loss of 6 percent. Magnesium oxide levels from 0.3 to 0.2 percent were obtainable with ammonium sulfate. However, the system requires concentrate roasting at temperatures of 900° C or higher, heated pulps (100° C), and large quantities of ammonium sulfate. Selective leaching was obtained using S02 gas in an aqueous concentrate slurry. Magnesium oxide content was reduced to less than 0.1 percent without loss of phosphate.

Jan 1, 1970

By D. R. Tesarik, F. M. Jones, J. B. Seymour, L. A. Martin, T. J. Williams

Determining backfill stress is an important part of evaluating mine safety, whether personnel are working in proximity to backfill or in other areas of the mine where backfill is an integral part of regional support. To assist in determining stress in backfill more accurately, researchers from the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Placer Dome, Inc. (Turquoise Ridge Mine), Peabody Energy Co. (Foidel Creek Mine), and Hecla Mining Co. (Lucky Friday Mine) used temperature readings recorded by thermistors to correct for the influence of temperature on stress data. These thermistors were positioned in the stems of earth pressure cells installed in backfill. Corrections were then calculated and compared using four different methods: polynomial equations fit to temperature-versus-stress plots before the pressure cells were loaded by overburden, a factor provided by the manufacturer, a theoretically derived factor, and a linear correction factor based on information collected during periods when no mining was taking place. To evaluate the accuracy of these methods, corrected stresses were calculated using each method and results compared to cumulative stresses caused by blasting at one of the mines. Results indicated that only a small percentage of the temperature effect on stress was corrected using the factor from the manufacturer because that factor accounted for only the pressure transducer and not the entire instrument body. Stresses adjusted with a linear correction factor based on information collected during periods when no mining was taking place were the most accurate. Stresses recorded at two other mines were corrected using the theoretical method and the polynomial equations method; the two methods produced similar results. For some time intervals, the results were identical.

Jan 4, 2006

By Ivan F. Avery

DOMEST1C production of carbon black in 1963, remained at about the same level as in 1962. Carbon black produced by the furnace process increased 2 percent to 1,880 million pounds in 1963 and accounted for 91 percent of the total output. Channel black production continued to decline and was 14 percent less than a year ago. Shipments during 1963 totaled 2,098 million pounds, a 1 percent increase for the year. An increase of 88 million pounds in domestic sales was partially offset by a decrease of 72 million pounds in carbon black exports. Total value of carbon black production in 1963 was $148 million. The average value per pound was 7.18 cents or 0.12 cent per pound more than in 1962.

Jan 1, 1964

PURPOSE: Evaluate practical technological advances in level-dependent hearing protectors and inexpensive personal acoustic monitors. RESEARCH SUMMARY: The results of previous NIOSH research show that miners develop hearing loss much more quickly than nonoccupationally noise-exposed individuals and that miners experience a greater severity of hearing loss than would be expected for nonoccupational noise-exposed persons of the same age and gender. Using hearing thresholds at 4,000 Hz as an indicator, coal miners experience hearing loss 2.5 to 3 times greater than would be expected for persons not exposed to occupational noise. At age 50, 90% of coal miners and 49% of metal/nonmetal miners were found to have a hearing impairment. In comparison, only 9% of a nonoccupationally exposed control group had a hearing impairment at age 50.

Jan 1, 2000

By R. S. DeCesare

Operation of the Bureau of Mines raw refuse continuous separation pilot plant is described, including modifications made to plant equipment for improved performance. Products recovered from refuse, many of which have been evaluated by other laboratories and private firms, are discussed. Sampling procedures used in the pilot plant and detailed data obtained from processing refuse from 13 municipalities are presented in appendixes. Fuel evaluations made on combustible fractions of refuse from the various municipalities are also presented. Information and data obtained at the pilot plant have been used to assist many municipalities in solving their urban refuse problems.

Jan 1, 1980

By K. P. V. Lei

An electrochemical process was developed for the preparation of vanadium from vanadium carbide. Commercially available vanadium carbide (V2C) was used as the starting material. Vanadium was obtained by electrolysis of the V2C in a BaCl2-KCl-NaCI-VCl2 electrolyte at 670° C using a helium-atmosphere, molten-salt electrolytic cell. Vanadium products were recovered with purities high as 99.6 percent. Current efficiencies of 87 percent and vanadium recoveries of 84 percent were attained. The cathode products were amenable to electrorefining to high-purity vanadium of 99.96-percent purity.

Jan 1, 1971

Objective As mines become safer and disasters fewer, a time may come when no employees in the mining industry have any practical experience in managing a mine emergency. To fill an emerging gap in mine emergency response training, a multidisciplinary team of researchers and computer programmers from the NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory has developed an intervention for mining personnel who would be in leadership positions in the command center during emergencies. It is called MERITS, a computer-based emergency simulation exercise. MERITS is short for "Mine Emergency Response Interactive Training Simulation." It provides trainees an opportunity to gain command center experience during a simulated underground coal mine emergency. MERITS allows trainees to practice information gathering, situation assessment, decision-making, and coordination skills without risk to personnel or property. Individuals representing mine emergency response personnel, various State safety officials, and private mine management from three States have participated in MERITS training. What Is MERITS? MERITS is an extension of previous work that compiled a knowledge base relevant to mine disaster management via interviews, analysis of literature, reviews of past events, and observations of mock mine disasters. Findings from prior research found a need for an alternative method of command center training. This new computer simulation is being used to train emergency command center personnel to effectively manage an underground mine fire. Modeled after training simulations developed for other industries (e.g., to address nuclear accidents, chemical spills, evacuations, etc.), MERITS simulates underground and surface events related to the disaster. It exposes the user to events that typically occur during a mine emergency, such as lack of information and miscommunication. It also presents trainees with issues that must be addressed, such as making provisions for briefing news media and victims' families, ordering needed supplies, interfacing with Government enforcement agencies, and housing mine rescue teams. The outcome of the scenario is determined by the users' decisions and their emergency response plans. Field Results Field testing of MERITS was conducted with eight full-day training sessions at four different locations in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. These field tests benefited from the knowledge and experience of State of Pennsylvania inspection officials, representatives of the United Mine Workers of America(UMWA), and private mine management who served as trainees for the MERITS training sessions. Trainees self-reported an average of20 years of work experience in the mining industry. All trainees had participated in Mine Emergency Response Development (MERD) training exercises, and many had been involved in real mine emergencies. Trainee evaluation of the MERITS program is summarized below: •Twenty-six of the 27 trainees believed that the MERITS simulation helped them know how to prepare for a real emergency. •Twenty-five of the 27 trainees believed that the storyline for the MERITS simulation was either "very realistic" or "realistic." •All 27 trainees believed that the MERITS simulation helped them learn how to better handle a real emergency. •None of the 27 trainees stated that they were bored during the simulation. After the initial field tests, MERITS was refined and retested during training sessions for individuals from State agencies, the UMWA, and private industry. Mining personnel from underground coal and underground stone mines participated and responded positively to the learning experience. Technology Transfer Industry introduction to the MERITS program will occur throughout 2002. MERITS presentations at the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association National Meeting in Virginia Beach, VA, in June.

Jun 1, 2002

By D. R. Flinn

The Bureau of Mines has studied the electrochemical parameters important to the preparation of coatings of the platinum-group metals. Using molten mixtures of sodium and potassium cyanides in an inert atmosphere, techniques have been developed that permit the preparation of baths for platinum, rhodium, and iridium electrodeposition. Cyclic voltammetric and slow sweep rate linear polarization techniques have been utilized to determine optimum potential and current values for preparation of plating baths and for the electrodeposition of coatings. Techniques are described for the deposition of platinum and rhodium coatings at near 100 percent anode and cathode current efficiencies, and for iridium at approximately 80-percent efficiency. Palladium deposition from these molten cyanide baths remains un-satisfactory. The chemistry of the palladium-containing cyanide bath is discussed. Examples of scanning electron microscope photomicrographs of typical platinum coatings are presented. Techniques are described for the preparation of platinum coatings on large objects.

Jan 1, 1982

This Bureau of Mines report on underground mine communications addresses methods and equipment to meet the communication requirements of working sections and places of coal and metal-nonmetal mines. A review of the status of trapped miner detection is also presented.

Jan 1, 1977

By Larry G. Stolarczyk

This report deals with information regarding a new Medium Frequency (MF) Wireless Communication System for underground mines. This new telecommunication system works on low loss electromagnetic wave propagation modes which allow it to provide quality radio communications almost anywhere in a mine. Tests show the MF system can provide improved safety and managerial control, increased productivity, better organizational team-work and reduced maintenance cost; furthermore, MF's unique design allows for easy installation at a minimum cost. This paper covers the following: 1) MF design plan, 2) Overview of mine radio communications systems, 3) Preparations needed for designing an MF system, 4) MF equipment, 5) MF installation, 6) MF design considerations, 7) MF design specifica¬tions, and 8) Recommendations dealing with MF system. Experiments in four mines are illustrated to demonstrate the success and via¬bility of the MF system. The mines range from small (500 tons/day) to large (67,000 tons/day) capacity and represent several different mining methods. The MF Wireless Communication System represents an advancement in mining communication and the groundwork for other advanced mine systems.

Jan 9, 1984

By J. S. Dunning

A primary goal of the Federal Bureau of Mines is to minimize the requirements for scarce mineral commodities through conservation and substitution of more abundant elements, such as iron and molybdenum. One example of this is the research effort to devise substitute materials for specialty alloys, thereby conserving nickel and chromium in high-volume stainless steels. As a possible substitute for the solid solution strengthening of chromium and nickel, the precipitation hardening characteristics of a number of binary iron-based systems in which Laves phase precipitates, such as Fe2Mo, are formed were investigated. Several hardening responses were observed, but none were ideal. The Fe-Ta binary system had the highest magnitude of hardening, even with low alloy additions, and the Fe-Mo system had unique stability at temperature. Accordingly, the Fe-Mo-Ta system was selected for study to determine if a ternary Laves phase could combine high hardening with long-term stability at elevated temperature. Hardening and stability were reflected in excellent elevated temperature, tensile, and stress rupture strengths. Future research will study ternary systems based on more abundant resource materials, such as the Fe-Mo-Ti system, together with additions, such as aluminum and minimal chromium, to provide oxidation resistance.

Jan 1, 1979

By L. A. Neumeier

The Bureau of Mines evaluated creep and other properties of extruded Zn-30 pct-AI alloys containing 0 to 0.7 pct Mg. The alloys were extruded both above and below the Zn-Al eutectoid temperature of 275° C. Creep behavior is defined for the alloys as extruded and after various heat treatments. Tensile properties, hardness, thermal expansivity, impact resistance, and microstructures are given. The alloys, either with or without magnesium, required substantially less pressure for extrusion near 275° C than at higher or lower temperatures. The alloys containing magnesium exhibited significantly greater hardness, tensile strength, and creep resistance, but much lower ductility than the 2n-30 pct Al alloy. The properties were very sensitive to the processing conditions.

Jan 1, 1971

By C. Lorimer Colburn, Spencer P. Howell

"Numerous accidents are still being reported that have resulted from the delayed explosions in drill holes. Some of these accidents have boon due to retarded burning of the fuse, causing the charge to explode after the miners had returned to the face, but the majority have been caused by the minors drilling or picking into unexploded explosives, either in unexploded bolas or in broken rock. Although the industry has been cautioned by the Bureau of Mines, manufacturers of explosives, and other agencies regarding the care that is necessary in the handling of explosives, yet reports of these accidents are still being received and many of the accidents are fatal, They occur in spite of the best efforts of the mine officials and men, but many of those that have been reported could have been avoided if the following precautions had been observed:Misfires should not be approached even for the purpose of inspection until three hours have elapsed if fuse was used, and ten minutes if electric detonators or electric igniters were used. These are minimum recommendations. It would be preferable to allow a longer time, for fuses have been known to hang fire for twelve hours."

Aug 1, 1920