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By William H. Tavenner

1. The 1952 Annual Report of the West Virginia Department of Mines lists nine beds that arc being mined in Logan County, of which the Cedar Grove and Chilton are the most important. The Cedar Grove group, No. 2 Gas, and Alma beds have the largest remaining reserves, in the order given. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 5,411 million tons as of January 1, 1954. Of this total, 3,939 million tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics were too meager for making an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimate reserves.

Jan 1, 1956

By S. H. Ash

NO MORE important question has come before the coal-mining industry in many places, especially in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania, than prevention of stream pollution by mine drainage. Available information on acid mine drainage in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania indicates that a pollution problem must be solved in any program of anthracite mine drainage. The major problem concerns satisfactory disposal of the daily average mine-water discharge of 327,000 gallons per minute (g. p. m.), or 472 million gallons per day (g. p. d.), containing a free-acid load of 431 tons or a total acid load of 934 tons a clay as H2S04. This report indicates the scope of the problem and gives some suggestions concerning its solution.

Jan 1, 1951

By W. J. Kroll

Despite the fact that barium minerals are plentiful and widely distributed in nature, this element is one that we do not yet know how to prepare cheaply in metallic form. This is due to its chemical activity, as evidenced by its great affinity for fluorine, chlorine, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur. Furthermore, it forms a very stable subchloride and subfluoride, which prevents isolation of the metal by fusion electrolysis from a halide bath. A good survey of the metallurgy of barium calcium, arid strontium has been made recently in Light Metals (54,55).3/ Metallic magnesium (46), calcium (83), barium, and strontium (27) reduce each other's oxides. Proof of this can be found in the activation of BaO after reduction with Mg, which leads to the formation of so-called "Maquenne" mixtures (58) used for absorbing gases. However, it is impossible to extract the reduced metal- from the residue, a fact that Guntz (25) attributed to the formation of barium suboxide. There is no necessity for presuming the formation of such a compound, as it has boon established that in the reduction there is always formed an alloy of the alkaline-earth metal with the magnesium, which is capable of producing hydrogen when brought into contact with water. The reduction of alkaline earth-metal oxides with aluminum was observed by Mallet (57) in 1877, but recent investigations have shown that the end product of the reaction is an alloy of aluminum with the alkaline earth metal (1,2). Silicon also has been suggested as a reducing agent, and the results obtained are the same (84,85).

Jan 1, 1945

By William J. Krisko

This contract final report summarizes the design, fabrication and testing of a "line brattice air curtain" device under Bureau of Mines Contract H0357097. The purpose of this program was to develop the concept of using an air curtain for coursing ventilating air parallel with the air curtain From the last open crosscut to the face in exhausting ventilation systems to replace the line brattice cloth in room and pillar coal mining operations. The final design of the air curtain device consists of a 10-foot long closed end pipe with c: slot cut along its length. Pressurized air is delivered to the open end with a hydraulically-driven blower. A sheet of air emanates from the slot and is directed toward the mine roof. An invisible sheet of air is thus created between the top of the machine and mine roof and acts a an extension of the existing conventional line brattice.

Jan 1, 1977

By L. F. Willmott

The Bureau of Mines at Morgantown, W. Va., has been investigating, on a pilot plant scale, various methods of gasifying bituminous coal with oxygen and superheated steam to produce synthesis gas, as part of the broader program of finding new uses for coal. Differences in the pressure gasification methods used have depended on differences in the manner in which the pulverized coal is fed to the gasifier. One of the methods of feeding the coal that was investigated was the continuous, integrated coal-water slurry system. Goal and water were first mixed to produce a slurry; then the slurry was pumped through a heated coil. to evaporate the water fraction; the resulting steam was superheated, and some of it was separated so as to adjust the ratio of the residual steam to the coal fraction and make the resulting mixture suitable for partial combustion with oxygen in a pressure gasifier. Both before and during this reported3 developmental work it was necessary to make an extensive literature search into the technology of aqueous slurries in order to establish design criteria for the pilot plant and to correlate results of various phases of the work with that of other investigators, The pilot work coincided with the commercial development of a long-distance pipeline for the transportation of coal as a coal-water slurry, and this fact tended to broaden the scope of the pilot plant work and the extent of the literature search. This bibliography is the compilation of the material that was collected.

Jan 1, 1963

By M. E. Volin

The Smuggler is one of the mines in the Aspen district, located the central part of Pitkin County, Colo. It was first examined in July 1943 by C. R. Wilfloy, former mining engineer of the Bureau of Mines at Salt Lake City, Utah, in, company with the lessees, R. D. Rohlfing of Aspen and J. W. Vanderwilt of Denver. The purpose of this examination was to sample a mineralized breccia zone that appeared continuous along the contact between the Leadville and Weber formations. These preliminary samples showed that the zone contains low but significant amounts of lead and zinc and that the minerals are partly oxidized and thus not easily concentrated. The mine was examined again in May 1946 by the senior author and William Herron, one of the present lessees of the property. This examination reviewed the previous sampling and recommended investigations by the Bureau of Mines. Sampling and drilling investigations were conducted by the Bureau from October 1946 to February 1947 and again from August 1947 to April 1948. Aspen is the center of a famous mining district that produced over $102,000,000 in silver and lead ores from 1880 to 1918, when a dispute closed down the mines (fig. 1). All of the workings below the Cowenhoven tunnel in Smuggler Mountain and the lower Durant tunnel in Aspen Mountain have been flooded since that time. The Cowenhoven portal now is caved, and Smuggler Nos. 1 and 2 tunnels are the only accessible workings in Smuggler Mountain. The only operating mine is the Midnight, situated 4 miles south of town at an altitude of 9,700 feet.

Jan 1, 1950

By Fred Hodges

This paper describing the concentrator practice of the Hurley Plant of the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. at Hurley, N. Mex., is one of a series of papers on milling methods and costs being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines. The Hurley concentrator has a normal daily capacity of 13,500 tons of ore, and for the first four months of 1930 the heads of the concentrator averaged 1.32 per cent of copper and 3.14 per cent of iron. The recovery for this period was 83.98 per cent and the concentrates produced averaged 27.54 per cent of copper.

Jan 1, 1931

By G. E. McElroy

The purpose of tins paper is not to present new date on the pressure losses due to bends and chances of area in mine openings through which air flows, but rather to correlate existing data, determined mainly on small duct systems and expressed in a variety of ways, according to uniform methods that facilitate their use in pressure-loss computations. These are required in such, air-flow problems as determining the quantity that will flow through is mine openings under a certain pressure difference or, conversely, the pressure difference that will be required to maintain a certain rate of flow. Air flowing through h ducts, such as mine airways, encounters resistance to flow due to interference of the individual air streams with each other caused by the wall surfaces. The result is that part of the kinetic energy of the flowing stream is converted to heat; and constant renewal of the kinetic energy from the total energy of the flow is required to maintain it. This process manifests itself by a decrease of the total pressure (static pressure plus velocity pressure; of the air in the direction of flow; in order that flow pray occur, there must necessarily be a differences in total pressure between the two cads of the air-ay equivalent to the pressure losses occasioned by the flow, which automatically adjusts itself in magnitude to the pressure difference maintained.

Jan 1, 1932

By M. C. Malamphy

A general description of the activities and results of bauxite investigation by the Bureau of Mines at its bauxite project in Saline and Pulaski Counties, Ark., has been given in Report of Investigations 4251. The factual data obtained during the project are reported in a series of Reports of Investigation beginning with No. 4251, of which this is the ninth. The data are accompanied by maps showing the location of holes drilled and the deposits developed. Each area upon which work was done is reported by half townships. Each bauxite deposit investigated was assigned a name and a number for ready reference and identification, and its location and name are shown on the appropriate half-township map. The description of each half township is followed by a description of each deposit developed in that half township map. The 14 half-township maps and 77 detail maps of the bauxite deposits in this series of reports give the locations and numbers of all the holes drilled on the project except the deep holes drilled to test the geophysical anomalies. The locations of those holes show on figure 13 in volume 1. The descriptions of the deposits developed are followed by complete detailed logs of the drill holes. Many of the widely spaced exploratory holes did not discover bauxite of minable thickness and grade. The pertinent information obtained from the widely spaced exploratory drill holes has been summarized and tabulated, and a table for each half township is given with the discussion covering that area.

Jan 1, 1948

By Robert S. Warfield

The Bureau of Mines investigated a geologically favorable area in the Beluga River coalfield in south-central Alaska to determine if there were sufficient minable coal reserves for onsite utilization to meet the projected thermal power needs of the Anchorage area. A program of diamond core drilling and sampling delimited a shallow saucerlike structure estimated to contain indicated reserves of more than 20 million tons of subbitminous coal in a seam over 50 feet thick that could be mined by opencut methods. A large sample of fresh coal was taken across the full width of the seam for washability studies. This sample, with 4 volume-percent of clay partings eliminated, contained 24.4 percent moisture and 16.8 percent ash and had a calorific value of 7,162 Btu per pound. The studies indicated that mechanical cleaning would be of doubtful value.

Jan 1, 1963

By B. W. Gandrud

[The Bureau of Mines is conducting an extensive investigation of coal preparation in the Alabama coal fields in cooperation with the University of Alabama coal-mine operators. In this investigation the drainage characteristics of typical coals from the Warrior and Cahaba fields were studied]

Jan 1, 1941

By Bertrand L. Johnson

Before 1914 , Chile , because of her extensive resources of natural nitrates , practically monopolized the world markets for one of the leading fertilizer materials . Since nitrogen also is an important war material , constituting in fact the principal ingredient in many high-powered explosives , the World War and the widespread insistence upon national self- sufficiency for war materials brought about the development of nitrogen fixation plants in all of the larger countries . The production of by- product ammonia from gas and coke plants was likewise stimulated . As a result , Chile , even after the ocean lanes were reopened , was forced to fight for her lost markets . Since the world capacity to produce is still far in excess of annual consumption , the competition between natural and synthetic supplies has been keen and prices have fallen below pre-war levels . Chile has recently succeeded in unifying her industry , utilizing the most efficient process now in operation, and the Government is a partner in the new company that will take over all of the present producing companies . These developments place Chilean nitrate of soda , in a much more favorable position among the markets of the world . More intense competition will undoubtedly follow and , in order that those interested may become familiar with the fields upon which the nitrogen conflicts of the near future may be waged , the following general summary of the nitrogen industry has been prepared .

Jan 1, 1931

By S. J. Aresco

The Bureau of Mines has been active in promoting the purchase of coal for Government use under specifications that define the requirements in terms of heating value of the coal, expressed in British thermal units, and the composition as shown by proximate analyses. To these, when required, are added the ash-softening temperature, the free-swelling index, and the Hardgrove grindability index. Under most of these specification contracts the bidders guarantee the quality of the coal, and that guaranteed by the successful bidder becomes the standard of his contract. The deliveries are sampled in accordance with instructions4/ issued by the Bureau of Mines, the samples are analyzed in the Bureau laboratory to determine whether the coal is of the quality guaranteed by the contractor and, if it is not, a price adjustment is made. Analyses of the delivered coal and tipple samples (samples collected at mine tipples as coal is being loaded into railroad cars or trucks) provide valuable data for use in evaluating future bids. In addition, the continuous sampling of coal as delivered is a check on the practical results obtained in burning the coal.

Jan 1, 1957

By D. L. Yopps

In research conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, platinum-group metal (PGM) flotation concentrate from the Stillwater Complex, MT, was subjected to biooxidation using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in an effort to break down the sulfide minerals and liberate the associated PGM's for subsequent chemical leaching. Bacterial preleaching oxidized up to 94 pct of the sulfide present, destroyed the PGM-bearing pentlandite [(Ni,Fe)9S8] mineralization, and dissolved most of the nickel in the concentrate. Cyanidation at 80° C proved to be the most attractive chemical leachant, removing 34 pct of the platinum, 76 pct of the palladium, 94 pct of the rhodium, and 97 pct of the gold from the biooxidized concentrate. Research also indicated that increased sulfide oxidation during the preleach phase led to improved PGM recovery in the subsequent chemical leaching phase.

Jan 1, 2010

PURPOSE: Evaluate practical technological advances in hearing protective devices for use in different mining environments RESEARCH SUMMARY: Previous NIOSH research shows 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 sex. As described in the National Occupation-al Research Agenda, problems created by occupational hearing loss include(1) reduced quality of life due to social isolation and unrelenting tinnitus,(2) impaired communication with family members, the public, and coworkers, (3) diminished ability to monitor the work environment (i.e., warning signals, equipment sounds, etc.), (4) lost productivity and increased accidents resulting from impaired communication and isolation, and (5) expenses for workers? compensation and hearing aids.

Jan 1, 2001

By C. R. Hubbard

The Bureau of Mines investigated the mineral resources of the Upper Missouri River Basin as a part of a comprehensive water and related land resources study by six Bureaus of the Department of the Interior, coordinated by the Department?s Missouri River Basin Field Committee. The mineral resource study covers an area of about 18,000 square miles within the Great Plains physiographic province of central Montana. Exposed formations in the plains are chiefly flat-lying Cretaceous sediments. Plutonic rocks crop out in the central parts of the mountain uplifts, with steeply tilted Paleozoic sediments exposed around the margins. Oil and gas have been produced from several fields in the study area; total value exceeds $45 million. Coal-bearing formations of Upper Jurassic and Cretaceous age cover approximately 45 percent of the study area. Total production of coal since 1880 has been between 40 and 50 million tons, exceeding $75 million in value. Total metal production has been about $52.5 million. Industrial mineral production from 1925 through 1960, is valued at $24 million.

Jan 1, 1964

By L. A. Readdy

No text. A set of geophysical well logs for U.S. B.M. Pilot Hole "X", Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado.

Jan 1, 1977

By K. J. Liles

The U.S. Bureau of Mines evaluated the physical properties of ceramic particulate composites made from titanium nitride (TiN), alumina (AI203), and aluminum nitride (AlN) as part of a program to meet the high-performance demands on structural materials for new and emerging technologies. Samples containing from 20 to 80 wt pct TiN were pressed and fired, and their composition, Vickers hardness, modulus of rupture (MOR), and fracture toughness were determined. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses showed that, depending on the amount of TiN added, the microstructure of the samples consisted of either a titanium-aluminum-oxynitride (TiAlON) particulate in a spinel matrix or a spinel particulate in a TiAlON matrix. The best results of the physical tests were achieved on a mixture of 40 wt pct TiN, 30 wt pct A1203, and 30 wt pct AIN. Sintering aids were added in 1-and 3-mol-pct increments to the 40-30-30 mixture to determine their effect on microstructure and physical properties. Results of an analysis of variancf' on a 4 by 4 factorial analysis showed significant effects on density, MOR, and Vickers hardness.

Jan 1, 1989

By W. E. Tournay

In accordance with a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, and the Linde Air Products Co., an investigation was made at the Bureau Explosives Testing Station, Bruceton, Pa., to develop suitable test methods for evaluating the performance and sensitivity characteristics of liquid-oxygen explosives. This report presents the results of the investigation. The unique nature of liquid-oxygen explosives necessitated both modification of standard techniques and development of entirely new test methods. The latter requirement was due to the fact that differences exist in the kind of information that must be developed for studying relative safety and performance properties of these explosives compared to that of fixed explosives.

Jan 1, 1949

By William W. Aljoe

The hydrologic characteristics of two abandoned underground coal mine sites, near Latrobe, PA, and Uniontown, PA, were investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines for possible implementation of alkaline injection into the mine pools as a means of abating their acid discharges. The Latrobe site was chosen for a one-time application of alkaline injection to achieve a partial, short-term neutralization of a limited portion of the mine pool. A quantity of alkaline reagent (sodium hydroxide) sufficient for a one-time neutralization of the water in this portion of the pool was added. Although nearly all of the neutralizing reagent had moved away from the injection wells within 6 weeks, no evidence of neutralization was noted at the mine discharge during the study period. This lack of neutralization probably occurred because the injection wells did not intercept a primary flow path through the mine. Criteria for successful application of alkaline injection at this or other sites include (1) positive identification of the primary flow paths through the mine pool and (2) addition of quantities of alkaline reagent sufficient to neutralize the entire volume of the pool along the primary flow path.

Jan 1, 2010