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By D. Harrington

"The recent discovery and exploitation of petroleum territory have resulted in the enactment of new petroleum laws in most of the South American Republics. The activities in the discovery of these new fields were engendered by the knowledge of the fact that present producing fields must within well defined periods be exhausted. Oil operators were willing to take the initial steps in exploitation in the absence of legislation that applied strictly to petroleum operations. The enactment of modern legislation in many of these Republics encouraging and protecting exploitations may cause tremendous oil activities in these countries, and the results may be comparable with the magnitude of the undertakings and the prestige of the companies now entering this territory.These, oil fields are admirably located for convenient distribution of petroleum by water to all the Nations using oil as fuel for shipping and industrial concerns. The oil markets of the western coast of South America will derive immense benefits from the Panama Canal. This navigation route brings these markets into direct ocean shipment with the Atlantic coasts of the Western and Eastern Hemispheres.One deterrent to oil production in the Republics of South America is the want of inland. transportation facilities, but the recent laws of these Republics without exception provide for acquiring rights of way for pipe lines and other modes of transportation; and doubtless the great interests and. syndicates already operating in these regions will, as production increases, provide ample pipe line transportation sufficient to convey to the coast the oil produced. It way be assumed, from the legal guarantees afforded, and from operating equipment and machinery that are now being concentrated that refineries will be erected at shipping points for the purpose of making these petroleum products accessible to the world."

Jun 1, 1921

By Roy C. Bartholomae

An accurate characterization of the vibration environment and a vibration qualification test derived from it will be a very useful tool for manufacturers of instrumentation for use on underground coal mining equipment. Recognizing this, the Bureau of Mines sponsored a study wherein vibration levels were measured on mining equipment to form a basis for developing the required vibration test. The data base was composed of 160 samples taken at different positions on a variety of underground machinery. The data were analyzed and presented in a format typical of military vibration qualification tests. The form was shown to be virtually identical to the swept sine test envelope specified in MIL-STD-810B for tracked vehicles.

Jan 1, 1982

By Franxis Church Lincoln

"INTRODUCTION During September 1944, the Bureau of Mines undertook a program of investigation and limited exploratory drilling at the Last Chance mine, near the village of Arthur in Grant County, Wisconsin, as part of a general investigation of the zinc-producing area of southwestern Wisconsin when every effort was being made to increase the production of metals important to the Nation's war program.The Bureau's attention was directed, to the Last Chance mine when the operators discovered high percentages of zinc in an exploratory churn drill hole a short distance southeast of the mine. The ore was found in the Trenton Limestone, which underlies the ore horizon then being mined. To determine whether this discovery was important, and to demonstrate the possible extension of the ore the Bureau of Mines drilled five additional holes in the vicinity of the discovery.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Nines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploratory project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, performs the actual exploratory work, and prepares the final report."

Mar 1, 1947

By S. B. Robertson, D. R. Dolinar, G. E. Hinshaw, G. M. Molinda, D. M. Pappas

Rock falls in coal mines cause many injuries each year. Most of these injuries are not caused by major roof collapses, but from falls of smaller rocks from the immediate top or roof skin. Even though safety professionals and mine operators strive to reduce these types of injuries, there has not been a substantial decrease in the rock fall injury rate over the past decade. Various surface controls are used in mines to control the roof skin. One control that has proven to be very effective is roof screening. Roof screen effectively controls roof skin and provides a high roof surface coverage. Although many mines are reluctant to use screen for primary skin control because of the additional costs of time and materials, others are having great success at controlling both the costs and surface rock. In this study, injury data are presented that show a dramatic reduction in roof skin injuries when screening is used. Much of this success is due to the protection from falling rock that the operators receive from roof screen. Five case studies in which roof screen was used are presented along with the associated costs of materials, impact on bolting advance rates, and potential ergonomic risks. The effects of roof screening on skin control and safety are also included. Finally, this paper provides information about best practices and features of roof bolting machines that affect production and safety.

Several federal and state agencies have promulgated regulations that require the installation of operator protective structures on mobile equipment used in mining, construction, agriculture and logging industries. These regulations cover many different types of vehicles, from small farm tractors to large rubber-tired front-end loaders, and require structures that help protect the operator from death or injury from vehicle overturns, from falling tree tops and logs, from falling rocks, and from tree limbs in clearing operations. Two general types of vehicle operator protective structures have evolved over the past twenty years. The first of these is the "Roll-Over Protective Structure'' or "ROPS" that is essentially a "roll bar" or "roll cage" that provides a relatively safe area for the vehicle operator if the vehicle should tip over and roll. The second protective structure is the "Falling Object Protective Structure" or "FOPS" that provides overhead protection against falling material. The terms "ROPS" and "FOPS" are often used interchangeably (sometimes inaccurately) with "cabs", “canopies” , "roll bars" , protective structures" and other such descriptive names. In this report, "ROPS" describes the function of the structure; "FOPS" also describes a particular function. Thus a ROPS/FOPS could describe a cab or a canopy that provides both roll-over protection and falling object protection. “MESA” is used as an abbreviation for the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration; "USBM" is used to abbreviate the U, S. Bureau of Mines.

Track and control the tram maneuvers of continuous mining machines by developing and evaluating a laser sensor system. Background Progressive technology has the potential to greatly improve mine-worker safety, helping to create a safer, better working environment for mine workers by keeping them away from the dangerous face area. To benefit from such technology, the Bureau is investigating remote, computer-assisted operation of mining systems for underground, highwall, and surface mining applications. A cornerstone for computer-assisted operation is an effective guidance system. Since there are no guidance systems on any commercial continuous miners (CM's), the Bureau it-self developed and tested a laser-based sensor system, based on a commercial sensor called Lasernet. The laser-based guidance system employs four laser scanning sensors at fixed locations in a mine entryway to report the angular coordinates of two cylindrical retro-reflective targets mounted on a CM. Using triangulation, a real-time microcomputer system processes the sensor data and updates the xy position and heading (h) of the CM five times per second. Using a simple control algorithm and communications interface to the CM control computer, the system also controls rotational and translational tram maneuvers.

Jan 1, 1992

By H. Foster Bain

Ten years ago there was no general , country-wide service for the systematic training of miners in matters relating to safety . A beginning only had been made at a few scattered points . Under the old conditions each man was left largely to look out for himself in meeting the hazards of his day's work, and the foreman , shift bosses , and superintendents chiefly relied upon improvision when major accidents occurred . So long as the mines were small and the workers highly intelligent and well trained in routine mining methods , and when too , the pressure for output had not yet speeded up industry to the extent it has since those days , there was something to be said for this lais- sez faire attitude . When , however , the rapid expansion of industry lead to the introduction of new and little trained labor and to units of production of greatly increased size , the natural dangers of mining were greatly intensified . An accident in a small mine affects only a few; the same accident in a large mine , unless proper precautions have been taken , may cost the lives of many . The public does not generally recognize that the greatly increased outputs of the mines , of coal mines in particular , have been in recent years , obtained from substantially the same number of miners as ten years ago but with a personnel not nearly so well trained in mining . It is inevitable under : such conditions that more care must be devoted to avoiding accidents and much more elaborate preparations made for meeting them . In the years immediately preceding the establishment of the Bureau of Mines this speeding up of industry , change in the character of mine labor , and increasing hazard had all begun to be felt . Immediately prior to the organization of the Bureau of Mines , public attention had been drawn to a series of disastrous coal-mine explosions , to the increasing frequency of these disasters , and to the terrible loss of human life . resulting therefrom. One of the first problems , therefore ; confronting the Bureau was clearly that of finding methods of reducing the number of such disasters and lessening the severity of those that continued to occur . Toward this object were immediately directed the energies not only of the Bureau of Mines but also those of State mine inspectors , mine operators and various other agencies , all of whom were urged to cooperate in this great humanitarian work. The results of this work naturally cannot be measured by figures only . Work for increasing the health , safety , comfort , and happiness of human beings may not be gaged with mathematical precision . But certain features of this work as revealed by the record from year to year are of much interest . ”

Apr 1, 1921

By F. J. Gallagher

The purpose of this circular is to present information on the construction and use of reinforced rubber-jacketed tubing and insulating air-line couplings in coal mines where Airdox is used for breaking coal in order to eliminate, insofar as possible, arcing at the face between Airdox tubing and the track or other face equipment.

Sep 1, 1949

By R. N. Roby

"INTRODUCTION A preliminary examination of the Green Monster and Benich copper prospects was made by engineers E. W. Newnan and George N. Bennett, of the Bureau of Mines, on December 13, 1943. In an unpublished report, it was stated that certain geologic features appeared to be similar to those associated with the copper deposits of the nearby Butte district. On these premises, a preliminary diamond-drilling program was recommended to explore 300 to 400 feet below the mineralized outcrops for the possible presence of a sulfide enrichment zone. In accordance with that recommendation, three holes were drilled. This report presents the data provided by that preliminary drilling exploration.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploratory project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell D. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary exminations, perform the actual exploratory work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, R. G. Knickerbocker, chief, analyses samples and performs beneficiation tests.The field work on the Bull Run exploration project was supervised byE. W. Newman engineer in charge of the Helena field office. The chemical analyses and assays included in this report were performed under the direction of A. C. Rice, acting engineer in charge, Bureau of Minos Rare and Precious Metals Experiment Station at Reno, Nev. The diamond-drill cores were logged by geologists of the Federal Geological Survey."

Mar 1, 1947

By Constantine C. Popoff

During 1946 several high-grade limestone deposits in western Washington were examined by the Federal Bureau of Mines. The purpose of the examinations was to disclose new sources of industrial limestone and to indicate the commercial potentialities of little-known and undeveloped deposits. These examinations were part of a long-range program of investigation of mineral resources of the Pacific Northwest. The following report on the Whitechuck travortine deposit is one of a series prepared in the course of the investigations.

Jan 1, 1949

By Charles D. Litton

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the responses of a prototype smoke detector and a commercially available photoelectric smoke detector to smoke particles generated from various combustion sources. The prototype smoke detector combines optical scattering measurements with ionization chamber measurements in order to reduce/eliminate nuisance alarms due to the presence of airborne dusts or diesel exhaust particles. The commercially available smoke detector is designed for use in harsh environments where airborne dust represents a major problem due to both nuisance alarms and detector contamination. In the experiments, the responses of the two detectors were measured when exposed to smoke particles from the exhaust of a diesel engine and from a variety of fire sources, including wood, coal, styrene butadiene rubber, and No. 2 diesel fuel. For the solid fuels, data were obtained for both smoldering and flaming combustions. This report describes the experiments, their results, and the use of these results as they apply to early-warning fire sensors capable of the rapid and reliable detection of fires in atmospheres that may or may not be contaminated by either airborne dust or the products produced from diesel engines.

Jan 1, 2008

By W. W. Adams

Fatal accidents at coal mines throughout the United States numbered 170 during May , 1923 , according to reports received by the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior from State mine inspectors . The production of coal during the month was 54,649,000 tons ; hence , the fatality rate was 3.11 per million tons . In May last year the fatality rate was 4.22 , based upon an output of 20,636,000 tons , including 35,000 tons of anthracite . Because of the miners ' suspension of work last year, the production of fresh-mined anthracite in May 1922 was completely stopped ; in May 1923 the anthracite output was 9,573,000 tons . For bituminous mines alone , the fatality rate in May 1923 was 2.67 per million tons as compared with 4.17 in May a year ago . During the first five months of the present year , the fatality rate for bituminous mines was 3.55 per million tons , based on 809 deaths , as against a rate of 3.70 for the corresponding months last year, based on 611 deaths . The rate for 1923 represents a reduction of 4 per cent . For anthracite mines alone the five-month fatality rate for 1923 was 5.36 per million tons , based on 228 fatalities , as against a rate of 6.72 for the first five months of 1922 based on 147 fatalities . The rate for 1923 represents a reduction of 20 per cent . The average fatality rate for May during the past ten years ( 1913-1922 ) is 3.37 per million tons for bituminous coal mines and 6.02 per million tons for anthracite mines . A gas explosion , due to open light , occurred on May 6 at Aguila , Colorado , and resulted in the death of ten men . This explosion brought the number of "major disasters " in 1923 to 4 , with a loss of 145 lives . During the first five months of last year, there were 7 similar disasters with a loss of 82 lives . The year's record to date for all fatalities from all causes shows a reduction in the fatality rates per million tons from haulage accidents and from falls of roof and coal , an increase in explosions of gas and dust and in accidents due to electricity , and no change in the fatality rate from explosives . The reductions in haulage accidents and in falls of roof and coal are particularly gratifying, because these two classes of accidents usually cause about 65 per cent of all fatalities in the coal-mining industry . Reports of Investigations , Department of the Interior , Bureau of Mines .

Jun 1, 1923

By James E. Hill

The Bureau of Mines has been carrying on an extensive diamond- drilling program during the past 7 years on deposits of strategic and critical minerals . Often the project reports and the drill-hole logs describe the findings only in terms of the mineral being sought at the time . Then , too , results may not always be interpreted alike by several mining engineers , and the cores therefore provide a permanent tangible record to complement the project reports . The cores from projects in the eastern divisions are being stored at the Mount Weather Testing Adit . Core from a representative hole ( or skeletonized sections from several holes , if these are more representative ) is selected at each project and shipped to Mount Weather for permanent storage . At the Testing Adit an underground room was prepared and storage racks were installed . Wooden core trays designed to accommodate cores of various sizes were purchased .

Apr 1, 1947

By N. Kumar Kittusamy, Richard E. Miller

This field study evaluated a newer and older dozer at a construction site. Both dozers performed similar activities in the same location within the construction site. Two operators participated in this study. One operator used the older equipment and the other operator used the newer equipment. Jolting and jarring measurements were taken at the seat/operator interface and at the floor of the cab. The result of this field study indicates that the newer dozer was better than the older dozer.

By Steven E. Mischler

The exposure of mine workers to diesel particulate matter (DPM) and gases is an issue of great concern to the underground mining community in the United States. Approximately 30,000 underground miners are potentially exposed to high concentrations of DPM. In January of 2001, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) promulgated rules setting compliance standards for both underground coal and metal / nonmetal mine workers. As industry works to achieve compliance with these standards, mine operators are looking for feasible methods for reducing DPM concentrations in their mines. In addition, the industry needs methods to accurately measure DPM to ensure that the control strategies they adopt are working successfully. The Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research to evaluate control technologies and monitoring instrumentation that can be used to reduce the diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposure of mine workers. An overview of the strategies being utilized in underground US mines to reduce DPM concentrations will be presented. Also, updates on the development of diesel monitoring instruments such as the continuous elemental carbon monitor or the Personal Dust Monitor for DPM measurement will be provided.

Jan 1, 2010

By W. D. Ryan

The American public has at all times been prone to discuss important questions that call for consideration and adjustment. Debatable subjects upon which sides may be taken always receive unusual prominence, but other questions equally important may be neglected. The real "paramount issue," calling for remedial action, is the ever-increasing number of deaths caused by preventable accidents. This matter demands the attention of the entire American people; the importance of accident prevention can not be overemphasized, and in many phases of American life, especially among the mining and allied industries, far too little real attention has been given the importance of conserving life and limb by accident prevention. ACCIDENTS COMPARED TO WAR AS A CAUSE OF DEATH Harry T. Hoffman, Wyoming labor commissioner, writes the following: It is one of the peculiar complexes of this rapidly moving age that we all stand aghast at the horrors of war and view with appar- ent indifference the greater havoc of industrial peace. Did you ever stop to think that approximately twice as many people were killed by accidents in the United States in 1929, as there were American soldiers killed in the entire period of the World War? Every employer and every worker should be thoroughly aroused over the tremendous toll levied against industrial forces by accidents which are largely preventable and develop a faith in safety efforts that will fire them with a zeal as pronounced as that of their religion or their patriotism. Let us remember safety-first to the end that the workman shall live to enjoy the fruits of his labor; that his mother shall have the comfort of his arm in her age; that his wife shall not be untimely a widow; that his children shall have a father; that crip- ples and helpless wrecks who were strong men shall no longer be a by-product of industry.

Apr 1, 1931

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) defines an independent contractor as "any person, partnership, corporation, subsidiary of a corporation, firm, association or other organization that contracts to perform services or construction at a mine." Contractors that perform specific types of work are required to report the number of employees who perform work at coal mines and at noncoal mines.

Jan 1, 2004

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) defines an independent contractor as "any person, partnership, corporation, subsidiary of a corporation, firm, association or other organization that contracts to perform services or construction at a mine." Contractors that perform specific types of work are required to report the number of employees who perform work at coal mines and at noncoal mines.

Feb 1, 2005

By W. D. Ryan

Industry must be made to realize that "Safety First" means just that - safety first. The miner must realize that safety first takes precedence over earnings. The employer must realize that safety is the first consideration, and is not to be subordinated to profit-making. Neither employee nor employer is justified in adopting the principle of safety first with reservations; that is they will practice safety first only so long as they think that it does not interfere with earnings or profits. This paper proposes to demonstrate that suberdinating safety to possible profit is short-sighted and that over an ex- tended period of time it dres not result in increased profits or earnings. An employee through disregard of safe practice may receive an injury that will cause him a loss of earnings if, indeed, he is net killed or permanently in- capacitated. If permanently incapacitated any compensation he may receive is very likely to be wholly inadequate as compared with probable earnings if the accident had not cccurred. The employer, upon his part, will find that the burden of compensating his injured employse will far exceed the outlay of money necessary to maintain a reasonable program of safety in his mine or plant. The mine foreman is one of the most important factors in the matter of mine safety. A vigilant and competent mine foreman, once he has established the confidence of the employees in his ability as a foreman, can be of invalu- able assistance in promoting mine safety, for through him and his assistants the employees may be made to cooperate. Every employer should remember, then, that the soluction of the foremen and their assistants is one of the most important matters connected with the work of establishing the maximum amount of safety in his mine. Everyone connected with the mining industry must be made to realize that there is to be no back-sliding and no let-up in safety work; that no matter how dry and tedious the routine may seem it is absolutely essential and justi- fied for both humanitarian and economical reasons. Efficient safety effort pays dividends in actual cash to both employer and employee. About 50 per cent of underground accidents in coal mines take place at the working face where the miners dig and load the coal. Approximately 17 per cent of coal-mine fatal accidents are the result of underground haulage. Face and haulage accidents can and will be reduced materially if the individual miner takes all precautions necessary to protect himself and if the management

Jun 1, 1930

By Yael Miron

Coal mines that undergo self-heatings, and specifically mines that sustain both floor heave and self-heatings, would benefit from the use of sealants to minimize air ingress to susceptible areas. The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) evaluated three sealant systems for this purpose, bentonite-water mixtures, silicate gel, and guar gum gel. The guar gum-based gel was the only sealant that possessed the desired properties of elasticity, ease of preparation, adaptability to the mine, and a long life. In addition, since the gel consists mostly of water, it could quench or cool nearby heatings. Optimal formulations were determined in laboratory tests, and then tested in the USBM Safety Research Coal Mine. Two for-mulations resulted in stable gels that lasted for at least 12 months in the mine. Semicontinuous preparation of gel using an eductor was evaluated and appears feasible. Although guar gum gel is expensive, selective use to prevent heatings in specific areas would be cost-effective, both in terms of productivity and enhanced mine safety.

Jan 1, 2010