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By H. Tomlinson

"INTR0DUCTIONThis publication is a third of a series devoted to falls of roof and coal in coal mines of the Western States. It gives the results of examinations of the mines of the Rock Springs coal District of Sweetwater County, Wyo., which represent the principal coal beds therein and approximately 75 percent of total production of the State.A study was made of safety conditions at all the producing mines of the district and suggestions were offered the operators regarding methods and practices which would, in the opinion of the writer, provide additional safeguards to prevent accidents from falls of roof and coal.In presenting the subject, consideration must be given to such features as character of the coal beds, depth of cover. methods of mining, timbering practice, roof testing and supervision, and for comparative purposes to certain statistical matter bearing upon relation of accidents to their causes, tonnage produced, men employed, days worked, and lost days due to accidents during the 3—year period covered by this study.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThe writer acknowledges the cooperation of the officials of the various coal companies, without whose assistance this work could not have been completed.F0UR REPRESENTATIVE COAL OPERATIONSThis report relates to four representative coal operations in the Rook Springs district of Sweetwater County, Wyo., which are referred to as mines A, B, C, and D. This group employs yearly an average of 993 men, representing 37 percent of the men in coal mines of the county, and has an average annual production of 1,484,373 tons, representing approximately 44 percent of the coal produced in the county. Figure 1 is a map of the Rook Springs coal district."

May 1, 1933

By R. Q. Shotts, H. J. Hager, A. C. Richardson, G. D. Coe

"INTRODUCTION In the State of Alabama few mines produce coal clean enough to be marketed directly without being washed. This is particularly true where the coal is to be used for the production of metallurgical coke. In washing plants where single-compartment jigs alone are used to treat a large range of sizes, it has been found that the washed coal finer than 1/4-inch contains a large proportion of free impurities and is much higher in ash content than are the coarser sizes. To reduce the ash content of this fine material with jigs usually entails a greet reduction in capacity and a loss of coarse coal in the refuse. This investigation, conducted by the Southern Experiment Station of the United States Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the University of Alabama and the Alabama By-Products Corporation, was undertaken to determine whether the fine washed coal from jigs could be economically re-treated on coal washing tables.COALS TESTEDThrough,the cooperation of the Alabama By-Products Corporation, samples of fine-sized washed coal were obtained from their washeries at Bradford and Gamma.The Bradford mine, on the Black Creek bed, yields a low-ash, medium-volatile coal with fairly good coking properties. This coal is blended with coal from the Mary Lee bed for coking purposes and compensates for the high ash content of the latter. The Black Creek bed is about 30 inches thick and seam analyses show an ash content of from 2.0 to 4.0 per cent. In the Bradford mine the undercut is about 6 inches high, so that a large proportion of fines is produced."

Apr 1, 1932

By Efrem R. Reeves

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common occupational illness in the United States, with 30 million workers exposed to excessive noise levels [NIOSH 1996] every day. Of particular concern is the mining industry; which has the highest prevalence of hazardous noise exposure of any major industry sector [Tak et al. 2009] and is second only to the railroad industry in prevalence of work-ers reporting hearing difficulty [Tak and Calvert 2008]. This document is for operators, safety personnel, and mechanics in the mining industry who are not specialists in noise control engineering or acoustics. Evaluations of successful and unsuccessful attempts at controlling noise on several large, underground metal mining machines are detailed to illustrate the basic principles of noise control. Once personnel understand the guidelines and principles of noise control, they will be able to ¦evaluate the extent of a noise problem; ¦determine the best approach to the problem; and ¦apply the most appropriate solution. Because of the insidious nature of NIHL, it can go unnoticed until a considerable loss of hearing has occurred. In some cases, diagnosis is delayed because an exposed individual claims to have become accustomed to the noise. In reality, that person may have already suffered irreversible hearing loss. Humans can hear sounds in the frequency range from about 20 to 20,000 Hertz (Hz). Within this range, NIHL usually begins in the frequency region around 4,000?6,000 Hz, the upper levels of the speech region. The first noticeable symp-toms include difficulty understanding higher pitched voices, such as the voices of females and children, and difficulty understanding certain consonant sounds, which are primarily high frequency in nature. The extent of NIHL varies depending on the level and duration of noise exposure and on an individual?s susceptibility; despite having similar noise exposure, individuals can experience differing degrees of hearing loss, or none at all. NIHL is almost always preventable. To reduce or eliminate the possibility of NIHL, an individual?s noise environment must be analyzed and appropriate action taken to reduce noise exposure.

Dec 1, 2009

The Bureau of Mines, through its Minerals Availability Program (MAP), investigates the mineral supply potential of the United States and market economy countries (MEC's) for a number of minerals considered essential to the U.S. industrial base. Major activities include identification of important mines and mineral deposits, estimation of their mineral resources and production costs, and availability and sensitivity analyses. Products include data print-outs of geological and engineering information, discounted- cash-flow rate of return (DCFROR) analyses of individual mining operations, commodity availability appraisals, and analytic services to Government agencies. These products are used in assessing the mineral supply position of the United States: in setting priorities for research aimed at reducing production costs and minimizing adverse environ- mental impacts and regulatory compliance costs of mining and mineral processing operations; and in formulating and evaluating Government policies that affect minerals. Bureau MAP data and analyses have been provided to the executive and legislative branches to aid in consideration of trade, tax, and stockpile policy issues. A study of the economic potential of selected seabed mineral resources supports the regulatory responsibilities of the Department of the Interior in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Analytic studies of mineral project viability, industry competitiveness, and import dependencies were also undertaken for, or in cooperation with, U.S. and foreign government agencies, industry and trade organizations, and international lending institutions.

Jan 1, 1987

By Edward Keller

The work covered by this report was undertaken at the request of Dr. J. A. Holmes, late Director of the Bureau of Mines, to whom the writer had been recommended by C. W. Goodale and E. P. Mathewson, of Butte and Anaconda, Mont. The director's offer was accepted for the honor it conferred and for the useful results that might be promulgated by the work in the technical field covered. The investigation was facilitated by permission to visit various works and sometimes by contributions of important definite information on a given subject. It is therefore with pleasure that acknowledgment of courtesies is made to the following corporations and gentlemen: Anaconda Copper Mining Co., Raritan Copper Works, Baltimore Copper Smelting & Rolling Co., United States Refining Co., American Smelting & Refining Co., B. B. Thayer, A. C. Clark, A. L. Walker, William H. Peirce, E. A. Cappelen Smith, H. H. Alexander, F. C. Newton, S. Rolle, R. "V. Deacon, N. W. Pierce, O. C. Martin, C. N. Sappington, James K Thomson, W. G. Derby, and the assistants of the writer, K. 1V.McComas and W. L. Raup. In this report considerable space has been devoted to general and theoretical principles on the ground that under modern conditions the best results in any field of activity can be attained only with the aid of an adequate knowledge of the best theories underlying the practice. The diffusion of such knowledge in the field of sampling metallic metallurgical materials appears to have been quite insufficient, and it is felt that when the principles involved are once thoroughly comprehended their universal application will be appreciated, so that it will make no difference whether pig iron or gold bullion is offered for test. It may further be noted that a discussion of the theories underlying practical methods is placed under the caption "Practical Sampling," with the idea that no one can be a practical sampler unless he is capable of analyzing his methods. No attempt has been made to advocate anyone method, but it is hoped that the analyses of all of the methods in use will show where each may be correctly and safely applied. The fact that it is possible to demonstrate the theoretical correctness of several methods indicates the invalidity of the claim that any single one of them is the standard.

Jan 1, 1916

By S. H. Lorain

This paper briefly describes the principal commercial and near-commercial deposits of gold-bearing gravel and the important placer-mining operations in Lemhi County, Idaho. It is on of a series on western mining districts being published by the Bureau of Mines. This paper is based on a field survey of the placer-mining districts of Lemhi County in the summer of 1938. Available information concerning gold-bearing gravels was obtained from prospectors and claim owners; operators supplied the data on mining operations. No attempt was made actually to test the gravels. The principal object of the examination was to indicate placer areas worthy of further investigation by prospective operators.

Jan 1, 1939

By R. S. Dean

The work of the metallurgical fundamentals section during the past year, representing active experimental investigation or thermodynamic study, may be summarized as the following problem subjects: 1. Low-temperature specific-heat investigations. 2. Development of a method of concentrating gases. 3. Thermodynamic properties of metallic carbides and nitrides, 4. Production of pure chromium from chromium chlorides. 5. Thermodynamic properties of the hydrates of calcium, sulphate. While this list is not identical, with officially designated problems, due to overlapping of subjects and to new developments within specified problems, presentation upon the basis of this subdivision will best serve to review the work of the section.

Jan 1, 1937

By P. Cole Gregory, Michael R. Yenchek, John C. Edwards

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the performance of portable power cables under transient conditions. This research had a twofold purpose: (1) to define the thermal characteristics of electrically overloaded trailing cables, and (2) to conceptualize electrical protection for cables that allows maximum cable efficiency without diminishing electrical safety in underground mines. Several tasks were under- taken in support of these goals during the 3-year research effort. Overload tests ranging from 2 to 12 times rated ampacity were conducted in the Bureau's Mine Electrical Laboratory. Two thermal models of energized type G-GC trailing cables were constructed, one based on thermodynamic theory and the other using empirical data from previous Bureau load tests. The empirical model was then incorporated into an interactive computer program that can assist designers and approvers of mining machines in selecting the appropriate size trailing cable. This program can be the basis for a cable protection system that ensures that cables are not the source of fires, ignitions, burns, or explosions underground.

Jan 1, 1993

By H. C. Fowler

Technical developments in the American petroleum industry as regards exploration, drilling, production, and transportation were characterized by many anomalous conditions during the half decade 1914-19. A review of the literature of that period discloses the striking fact that individual geologists, engineers, and other technologists were surprisingly well versed concerning the occurrence of natural hydrocarbons and methods of extracting them and were acquainted with many of the physical and chemical characteristics that influence the behavior of fluids in natural reservoirs. However, the industry as a whole knew little of the correct application of recognized fundamentals; indeed, judged by present standards certain expediencies of self-styled "practical' operators seem cumbersome, if not evidences of ignorance.

Jan 1, 1941

By Fred W. Snow

This paper describing the mining practices at the Magma mine, Superior, Ariz., is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining prac¬tices, methods, and costs in the various mining districts in the United States. At present (1929) practically all the mineral production in the Superior district is from the Magma mine of the Magma Cooper Co. The ore is mined for its copper but contains associated silver and gold. Both direct smelting ore and ore of concentrating grade are produced. The mining methods now in use at the Magma mine were adopted or developed as knowledge was gained of the physical condition of the ore bodies and the inclosing formations; the wall rock is soft and crushed and the ore is relatively hard. In general, existing methods have been adapted to fit local conditions, but some of the mining practices used were originated at this mine. Most of the ore is mined by a combination of rill stopes and pillar stopes. The pillars are extracted by underhand mining.

Jan 1, 1929

A prototype EM Location System was fabricated and tested at the Geneva Mine near Dragerton, Utah. This system consisted of six manpack transmitters and six manpack receivers covering the frequency band from 900 Hz to 2900 Hz as well as a six channel receiver designed for use, in a helicopter. Tests showed that EM signals from lightweight (3/4 lb) transmitters could be detected both on the surface and from a helicopter through as much as 4450 ft of relatively high conductivity (2 X 10- 2 mhos/m) overburden. Furthermore, the resulting field strength profiles could be used to determine source location to within 150 ft of the actual surveyed location in the mine. Modifications were made to a Monitoring, Locating and Communications System being tested at the Bruceton Mine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These modifications have improved the performance and quality of the paging and voice telephony mode of the system. Subsurface receiver modifications have improved reception of voice downlink signals.

Jan 1, 1973

By R. S. Dean

This report, the third of a series of annual reports of the Metallurgical Division to be released in this form, covers the fiscal year July 1, 1936, to June 30, 1937. The technological work of the division is performed by sections. Thus, an efficient organization is provided to prosecute the various problems under investigation, and a logical system is set up for presenting the material contained in this report.

Jan 1, 1937

By D. Randolph Berry

This report describes a study to develop a detailed set of guidelines and equipment recommendations to be used as a guide for mine operators, mine inspectors, and equipment manufacturers in implementing the emergency escapeway standards for metal and nonmetal underground mines. It was sponsored by the United States Bureau of Mines. The first part of this report reviews the historical background of metal and nonmetal mine fires and the development of present and proposed mandatory standards. This is followed by a discussion of the survey of representative mines and how the proposed standard effects these mines. The remainder of the report covers technical discussions of each escapeway component including a comprehensive computer simulation of mine evacuation. Following the technical discussion of each group of escapeway components is a list of the pertinent guidelines. The major escapeway components discussed are the following: Escaperoutes Refuge Chambers Hoisting System. Escapeway Signs Ventilation Fuel Storage Fire Retardants Warning Systems Auxiliary Transportation

Jan 1, 1976

By Ernest E. Berger

"INTRODUCTIONOne of the outstanding problems in the normetallic industries, and one which involves two of the greatest of these industries, cement and gypsum, is the reaction of Portland cement with calcium sulphate. To all Portland cement clinker there is added in the manufacturing process, a small amount of retarder, as a necessary ingredient of the finished product. This retards the initial set, increases the strength, and adds to the plasticity of the cement so it will have the desired working and setting qualities. The retarder commonly used is gypsum, (CaSOA.2HO), which is the hydrous form calcium sulphate. Calcium sulphate is also available as plaster of Paris (CaSO4 1/2 HC) and anhydrite (CaSO4). The purpose of this inquiry was to determine the form or mixture of forms best adapted for retarder. The problem is complicated by the fact that cement clinker is a complex mixture of calcium silicates and aluminates, and that clinker from different mills, making cement of approximately equal quality, differs considerably in chemical constitution. Thus the same retarder may give very different results with different types of clinker, especially in the percentage of retarder required for the same degree of retardation.It has been known for some time that a small percentage of plaster of Paris will greatly retard the time of set of Portland cement as well as increase its strength and plasticity, but whether gypsum and anhydrite will have a similar effect is as such disputed question. The offects of gypsum have received little consideration in laboratory research because, even though it will not retard a clinker when the two are mixed in the laboratory, as has been noted in some instances, the cement will have a normal set when the two arc mixed in the large tube mill at the plant, so that practically, gypsum seems to be equally as goou as plaster of Paris, and because of the great saving in cost it has been used almost exclusively."

Sep 1, 1925

The inherently explosion-proof mine (EPM) concept is based upon the non-flammability of certain combustible-oxidant-inert gas mixtures, and the effect of partial pressure of gases on physiological reactions. In a properly controlled underground environment, gas explosions are impossible, men can do work, and relatively high concentrations of methane would be permitted. A systems analysis has been performed to examine the physiological, engineering, and economic feasibility of such a concept, and methods and equipment are recommended for maintaining an EPM atmosphere in a bituminous coal mine producing a nominal two million tons of clean coal per year. It is concluded that: engineering feasibility can be demonstrated using subsystems and components that can be designed and built within the present state-of-the-art, that economic feasibility is possible within approximately five years, and that physiological feasibility is sufficiently promising to warrant continued investigation.

Jan 1, 2012

By Jack Mantel

The goal of this 42-month contract was to increase safety in low-seam underground coal mines through development and in-mine evaluation of a temporary roof support system for roof drills and floor-riding operator compartments for a loader and shuttle car. The program was performed in three phases. During Phase I, state-of-the-art canopy technology was investigated, and preliminary design and mock-up evaluations were performed for temporary roof supports for single-and dual-boom bolters and for transverse-mounted floor-riding canopies for a shuttle car and coal loading machine. The shuttle car and loader canopies were approved for further development, and the design, fabrication, testing, and certification were completed in Phase II. In Phase III, the Bureau of Mines furnished an FMC 6L shuttle car fur use in the evaluation of the canopy for 45 shifts. The shuttle car canopy was evaluated at Virginia Crews Coal Company in West Virginia. Efforts to secure an evaluation site for the loader canopy were unsuccessful. The loader canopy was shipped to Bruceton for possible future evaluation.

Jan 1, 1985

By Sean Gallagher

This report was written in an effort to provide better control measures for low back pain (LBP) and low back disability in the mining industry. There are numerous factors associated with development of LBP, many of which can be effectively controlled while some cannot. Better job design is promoted as the best method of reducing cases of LBP and can also reduce the disability (i.e., lost time from work) associated with LBP when it happens. The report draws attention to what is currently known about LBP, what the causes are thought to be, and discusses recent back injury trends in the mining industry. Research describing unique physical demands in mining, such as the capabilities and limitations of working in awkward postures, is also presented. Methods that can be used to prevent initial LBP episodes are provided, including facilities design and layout for materials and supplies, use of mechanical-assist devices, improved design of lifting tasks, and better seat design. Methods of reducing the disability associated with LBP (including workplace design, proactive return-to-work efforts, communication, and management commitment) are also discussed. The report concludes that control of LBP and disability in mining requires a comprehensive approach to limit the repetitive loading that can occur on the low back due to manual materials-handling tasks and exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV). Specific recommendations include the following: ? Successful LBP prevention efforts require a proactive program that has strong management commitment and incorporates employee involvement. ? More efficient supply handling systems and use of mechanical-assist devices can greatly reduce exposure to hazardous lifting tasks. ? Lifting tasks should be designed to minimize low back stress. Tools to evaluate and redesign lifting tasks are presented. ? Improved seat design can reduce exposure to WBV and improve posture, leading to reduced LBP risk. ? The disability associated with LBP can be reduced. Getting the worker back on the job as quickly as possible is in the interest of everyone involved.

Sep 1, 2008

By R. N. Johnson

This report is a summary of the work performed for the Bureau of Mines to evaluate the feasibility and desirability of a movable in-pit crusher combined with conveyors to substantially reduce or eliminate truck or train haulage in large open-pit non-fuel mineral mines. The report includes an introduction and summary of previous work, an analysis of movable crusher system components, a description of the selected system, a review of possible movable crusher system applications, and finally requirements for future work to bring about the general availability of such systems. It was clear from the program that there is a real need for movable in-pit crushers.

Jan 1, 1982

This summary of State laws on explosives was compiled primarily to ascertain what subjects relating to their control have been acted upon by each State legislature and, in general, how they have been treated. It does not include any legislation passed after 1942, or any proclamations, regulations, or administrative orders. It does not purport or attempt to be authoritative. If any problem arises involving interpretation of the statutes of any particular State, the original source must be consulted for the exact words used by the legislature. This summary, however, will be useful in determining whether relevant statutes exist, and in locating them quickly with a minimum of effort. It will be of value also in comparing statutes in one State with similar statutes in other States to determine what construction has been placed upon them by the courts of these jurisdictions or to contrast the varying provisions of many States upon a similar subject. To make these comparisons easier, the statutory provisions for each State have been grouped under several major topics in outline form. Although this sometimes has resulted in disruption of the continuity of individual acts, the increased general clarity and availability of comparable sections have more than justified the procedure followed.

Jan 1, 1943

By John P. Wagner

The details of a three-phase study (total time period of 12 months) entitled ?Fire Alert Systems for Metal and Non-Metal Mines,? are presented. Phase 1 consists of a state of the art survey on fire detection devices and gas sensing techniques. Phases 2 and 3 include laboratory screening and systems concepts testing on various detectors classified as products of combustion, optical view-field and contact (or thermal) types under incipient and flaming combustion conditions. Recommendations for a mine fire detection system to protect shaft, sealed off or mined out (from spontaneous combustion of sulfide containing ores and cellulosic materials), and fuel storage areas are also included. me principal problem area noted during Phase 1 study is the high expected occurrence of false alarming of products of combustion detectors (POC") subjected to normal mining operations---diesel vehicles and equipment and shot firing or blasting operations. Simultaneous gas sensing of either the ratio of CO/NOx or CO2/NOx with detection of one or more fire signatures (smoke, radiant energy, or heat sensing) is the recommended approach to discriminate against these operations.

Jan 1, 1975