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By J. Douglas Causey

In 1984, at the request of the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Mines studied 29,020 acres of the 43,165-acre Terry Badlands Wilderness Study Area (MT-024-684) in order to evaluate its mineral resources. Within this report, these 29,020 acres are referred to as the study area. Located in Custer and Prairie Counties, MT, the study area is about 2 miles northwest of Terry. The study area is underlain by essentially flat-lying units of the Fort Union Formation of Paleocene age with some Quaternary alluvial deposits in stream valleys. No mines or prospects were found in the study area. Bentonitic clays and lignite coal units were examined and sampled; however, no clay resources or coal reserves were identified. Estimates of coal resources will be reported by the U.S. Geological Survey in a joint U.S. Geological Survey-U.S. Bureau of Mines publication. Gravel along the Yellowstone River, a source of agate for private collectors, could also be used as sand and gravel aggregate although material on the south bank of the river is closer to population centers and road systems. Clinker found in the study area could be a source of road metal, but is not well situated in relationship to areas of use. No geothermal resources have been identified although water suitable for direct heat applications may underlie the study area. All the area is leased for oil and gas exploration.

Jan 1, 1985

By Robert L. Anderson

A shaft or slope bottom is that portion of a mine that is contiguous to the bottom of the main hoisting shaft or slope. It includes the terminal tracks for loaded-and empty-car storage, locomotive run-arounds, locomotive shops, charging stalls, supply rooms, pump rooms, waiting rooms, and offices for dispatcher, weighmen, and foremen. This paper will deal principally with the arrangement of tracks and the handling of cars on the bottom, but includes other data that may be affected, directly or indirectly, by the bottom lay-out. All of the mines discussed are being operated in comparatively level coal seams.

Jan 1, 1937

By Hillary W. St. Clair

This report describes a mathematical procedure for analyzing size distribution data by the method of moments. The method was applied to Andreasen's data on a variety of grinding mill products. It was found that the observed size distributions could be represented by gamma and beta distribution functions over a wide range of sizes. A computer program, written in BASIC, is described for calculating moments, distribution parameters, and the weight fraction in any size range.

Jan 1, 1969

By E. B. Kester

In the commercial evaluation of coal tars, a distillation analysis properly carried out is of considerable importance. Close attention must be given to this operation in order to obtain consistent results and to secure the minimum decomposition of the tar compounds, Which in Many cases are sensitive to undue heat effects. Low-temperature tars in particular contain compounds of this nature, while in the case of tars produced at high temperatures the large proportion of pitch present has an adverse influence during a distillation. If excessive cracking takes place, the composition of the distillate will naturally vary from the normal, with the result that all the analytical criteria subsequently obtained are affected. Where tars, produced over wide ranges of carbonization temperatures are investigated as in the survey of gas, coke, and by-product making properties of American coals now being conducted at the United States Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh Experiment Station, the method of distillation must necessarily be the same for all of the tars studied. Also, it mast function equally well for both low and high temperature tar permit accurate fractionation, and reduce adventitious decomposition to a minimum. The authors are aware that certain types of distillation analysis which do not meet the above requirements may give results comparable with those of the large stills of a by-product coke-plant where one type of tar is produced. These may be simpler and shorter and entirely suitable for control work, but at the same time have little value in a fundamental investigation.

Jan 1, 1932

By R. L. Crosby, L. W. Higley

Magnesium- rich magnesium- aluminum- zirconium alloys in the cast and in the extruded and heat- treated condition were studied to identify the phases present and to determine phase distribution . In cast alloys , two intermetallic compounds were identified : ZrAla by X- ray diffraction ; and Mg₁ Al₁₂ by microscopical observation . Based on microscopical comparisons between the known phases in the cast structures and the phases in the structures of extruded and heat - treated rods , ZrAl₂ and Mg1 , Al12 were identified in the structure of the latter . The presence of these intermetallic compounds in rod specimens could not be confirmed by X- ray diffraction . ZrAl₂ was observed in the structure of extruded and heat - treated rod specimens containing as little as 0.01 weight - percent zirconium . The presence of aluminum restricts the solubility of zirconium in magnesium because of the strong tendency to form ZrAla . This intermetallic compound segregated in clusters of small particles in the matrix of cast alloys , and only slight improvement in distribution was noted when the alloying techniques were varied .

Jan 1, 1964

By D. C. Dahlin

The Bureau of Mines has investigated podiform chromite deposits in three ultramafic bodies in the Caribou Mountain and lower Kanuti River areas of central Alaska. The investigation, reported in two parts, was done as part of the Bureau's mission to help insure an adequate supply of minerals to meet the Nation's needs. Part I describes an extensive field investigation and mineralogical studies by personnel from the Bureau's Alaska Field Operations Center. This report, part II, describes the mineralogy of 11 samples that were high-graded from surface exposures at 10 sites and presents the results of laboratory batch beneficiation tests designed to concentrate the chromite. The 11 samples, peridotites and chromitites that consisted of variable amounts of chromite or chromium-bearing spinets, olivine, and serpentine, were beneficiated by grinding and sizing, gravity concentration, and electrodynamic separation. Three high-chromium chromite concentrates, two high-iron chromite concentrates, and one high-aluminum chromite concentrate were produced. Three other concentrates were marginal, and two were submarginal. Chromium recoveries ranged from 54 to 92 pct. These results indicate that the areas may be significant chromium resources. Potential platinum association with the chromite was also investigated. Analysis of these 11 samples indicates that the areas are not good platinum resources.

Jan 1, 1983

By Harry G. Dosh

Sillimanite, kyanite, and andalusite are aluminum silicates having the same chemical composition (Al2SiO5) and are used in the ceramics industry for the manufacture of high-grade refractories. Natural sillimanite with added corundum or other alumina to just short of mullite (3Al2O3 -2SiO2) proportions is unequalled for jobs wherein strength at high temperatures, resistance to spalling, and resistance to slagging by acid slags are desired. High-grade porcelain ware also requires these minerals. At the same cost, sillimanite would be preferred for most uses, but the lack of any large source of sillimanite bas given economic preference to kyanite or andalusite for special refractories and high-grade porcelain wares. Sillimanite-bearing schists were observed in Spartanburg County, S. C.; as early as 1937 by D. Hoye Eargle, geologist with the U. S. Soil Conservation Service. The mineral was not identified until 1942, when Miss Jewell Glass, of the U. S. Geological Survey, examined several of the deposits. This identification was confirmed in 1943 by Dr. Laurence L. Smith, of the University of South Carolina, when he examined the Spartanburg County deposits and found numerous additional occurrences of sillimanite schist in Greenville County. Subsequent work by the Bureau of Mines and the South Carolina Geological Survey has been responsible for the location of additional sillimanite-rich schist deposits in Spartanburg County. Between October 1, 1948, and November 21, 1948, the Bureau of Mines conducted an exploratory diamond-drilling project on the John Gideon property in the southeastern section of Spartanburg County (fig. 1) and drilled a total of 681.7 feet in six holes. Drilling indicated that the deposit is relatively shallow, as no ore was cut below the zone of weathering.

Jan 1, 1950

By G. M. Kintz

The data in this circular were taken from publications of the United States Bureau of Mines and published annual reports of the Wyoming State Inspector of Coal Mines. The tables included are complete only' with regard to major disasters; the Bureau of Mines considers a major disaster one in which 5 or more men are killed. However, minor disasters and gas ignitions recorded in these publications are included. It is known that a number of gas ignitions have occurred of which no record is available. This is one of a series of papers by the Bureau of Mines giving by States available data regarding coal-mine explosions. This information is published in condensed form in the belief that it may be of vale to mine operators in preventing future coal-mine explosions.

Jan 1, 1934

By H. C. Miller

The removal of the mud sheaths that are deposited against the faces of productive oil sands during rotary drilling is one of the important problems confronting operators, especially in semidepleted fields where formation pressures are low. Unless the mud sheaths behind the perforated oil strings and, liners are removed and the sands exposed, oil cannot enter the wells. Consequently much oil that otherwise eight be produced from low-pressure sands is trapped and never recovered. Various types of perforation washers, down swabs, and agitators are used at present for breaking down the mud sheaths and. removing the disintegrated clay particles from wells after the perforated pipes have been inserted. Mechanical methods for removing mud sheaths are quite satisfactory, but prompted by tie request of certain operators in the California oil fields Bureau of Mines engineers have conducted a series of laboratory tests with the view of developing a chemical method for removing mud sheaths in oil wells that will be applicable to field conditions.

Jan 1, 1934

By C. R. Bopp, N. A. C. Smith

"For a period of several years, beginning with 1915, there has been a continuous change in the quality of motor gasoline. The average volatility has decreased, this to the fact that higher boiling fractions of the crude oil have been included in the gasoline. This change in quality was made necessary by the tremendous increase in the demand for motor fuel, caused by the development of the motor car, and during the war was an absolute necessity to avoid gasoline shortages. The Bureau of Mines has kept in close touch with this situation by making surveys from time to time of the gasolines sold throughout the country, as this information is of value to manufacturers and users of motor cars and also indicates when any changes are required in the Government specifications. The Bureau has just completed a gasoline survey and is in a position to make public the fact that there has been very little change in the quality of motor gasoline in recent months.During the period from January 17 to February 3, 1920, 81 samples of actor gasoline were collected by representatives of the Bureau of Mines in seven districts of the United States. The cities selected for this survey were New York, N. Y., including Brooklyn; Washington, D. C.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Chicago, Ill.; New Orleans, La.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and San Francisco, Cal., including Berkeley. In every case the samples collected were taken in such a manner as to represent material actually being sold as motor fuel, and to include samples from each refinery marketing in the district."

Jan 1, 1920

By E. B. Kester

In the commercial evaluation of coal tars, a distillation analysis properly carried out is of considerable importance. Close attention must be given to this operation in order to obtain consistent results and to secure the minimum decomposition of the tar compounds, which in many cases are sensitive to undue heat effects. Low-temperature tars in particular contain compounds of this nature, while in the case of tars produced at high temperatures the large proportion of pitch present has an adverse influence during a distillation. If excessive cracking takes place, the composition of the distillate will naturally vary from the normal, with the result that all the analytical criteria subsequently obtained are affected. Where tars, produced over vide ranges of carbonization temperatures are investigated as in the survey of gas, coke, and by-product making properties of American coals nor being conducted at the United States Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh Experiment Station, the method of distillation must necessarily be the sane for all of the tars studied. Also, it must function equally well for both low and high temperature tar, permit accurate fractionation, and reduce adventitious decomposition to a minimum.

Jan 1, 1932

By G. L. Oldright

The data presented in this paper were collected et the smelter of the Consolidated Mining A Smelting Co. of Canada, Limited, Trail (Tadanac), British Columbia, through the courtesy of S. G. Blaylock, vice president and general manager; James Buchanan, smelter superintendent, George Murray, assistant smelter superintendent; and the staff members listed in Paper XI, Report of Investigations 3243. INTRODUCTION This paper is the twelfth of a series on smelting in the lead blast furnace and the fifth4 dealing with blast-furnace gases.

Jan 1, 1934

By G. L. Oldright

This paper is the twelfth of a series on smelting in the lead blast furnace and the fifth dealing with blast-furnace gases. It was noted in Report of Investigations 2957 that the gases evolved from the top of the lead blast furnace at Tooele were similar in composition to those from the top of an iron blast furnace. It was noted in Report of Investigations 3095 that at Kellogg, where a smaller percentage of coke on charge and shorter stock column were employed, the gases evolved were much less reducing. At times there was a considerable amount of oxygen in the top gases at the second plant. More SO2 was also evolved from sulphides in the charge. Then operations were conducted as at Kellogg, the gases were alternately reducing and oxidizing. This paper deals with the gases evolved in smelting a charge containing more zinc than at either of the other two plants with about the same amount of coke as was used at Kellogg,: To compare other factors influencing the composition of the gases, it may be noted that at Tooele the approximate height of the charge column was 15 feet, at Kellogg 9 feet and at Trail 13 feet. The furnaces have about the -same cross-sectional area- tog. The furnaces at Tooele are about 6 inches wider at the tuyeres, being 54 inches wide against 48 for the other two plants. At Tooele and Kellogg the furnaces are fed at the top from bottom-dump cars. At Trail the charges are dumped from Decauville cars (bottom cars which dump when tilted), which run on tracks placed on both sides of the blast furnaces. The hoods through which the waste gases are conducted are directly above the shafts of the furnaces. The flues for removing the effluent gases lead off from under the charge floor at Tooele and Kellogg. (Charging and distribution of the feed in the furnace covered later in a rate paper of series.)

Jan 1, 1934

By R. D. Leitch

The work of the United States Bureau of Mines on stream pollution3 by coal-mine drainage has included a study of seasonal variations in acidity and volume of several streams in Pennsylvania. The acidity of these streams has been determined during the two or three years prior to 1930 and the results may be considered to represent "normal" low water conditions. The summer of 1930, however, was unusually dry and represents what may be termed "extreme" low water conditions on these streams. This report is a comparison of the results obtained for extreme low water of 1930 and for other years. The streams investigated were Buffalo Creek in Somerset County, Indian Creek (lower 5 miles) in Westmoreland County, Little Toby Creek in Elk and Jefferson Counties, Daguscahonda Run in Elk County and West Creek in Elk and Cameron Counties. These will be treated separately in the order given. Most of the descriptive matter and physical data pertinent to the streams and drainage basins are taken from published reports of the Pennsylvania State Water Supply Commission, 1917.4

Jan 1, 1931

By Richard F. Link

The objective of this report is to explain a statistical method for the summarization, organization, and classification of multivariate assay and other data from the mineral industry. Multivariate data are those characterized by several measurements at each data point, such as assay data from a mixed metal mine, or blast furnace data. A specific method of linear discriminant analysis, the Mahalanobis d2 procedure, is explained, starting from elementary principles; the d2 procedure enables many measurements at many data points to be studied by investigating the interrelationships among the data. The relation of linear discriminant analysis to other statistical methods for treating multivariate data, in particular the eigenvalue technique of factor analysis, is also explained. Example analyses are made on data from the Frisco mine, San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua, Mexico. The data comprise assay values for silver, lead, copper, and zinc taken at some 19,000 sample points distributed into 91 groups.

Jan 1, 1967

By J. D. Sargent

Selenium might be described as a paradoxical element, being a metal or a nonmetal, a conductor or nonconductor, amorphous or crystalline, colorant or decolorant, and a hydrogenator or dehydrogenator. Selenium was discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist, Berzelius, while studying flue dust from the lead chambers of the sulfuric acid works at Gripsholm, Sweden.

Jan 1, 1954

By W. J. Long

As a part of the strategic mineral exploration program, examining engineers of the Bureau of Mines collected samples of ore from four manganese properties in Yavapai, Yuma, Maricopa, and Mohave Counties, Ariz. As all of the ores were too low in grade to be acceptable by manufacturers of ferromanganese beneficiation studies were made to determine the amenability of the ores to concentration.

Jan 1, 1948

By Frank Parrish

THIS REPORT by the Federal Bureau of Mines presents data on water-supply wells used by waterflood operators in North Texas and shows the distribution of permeable source sediments. Averages of well characteristics, including static fluid levels, working fluid levels, net thicknesses, producing rates, and depths, are presented and discussed. Essentially all water used in waterflooding is mineralized water from consolidated sediments. This study is concerned with the geology and distribution of these mineralized source sediments, whereas previous work in this area was predominantly a study of shallow sources of potable water. Tables, isopachous maps, and electric-log cross sections are included to describe the several source aquifers. In general, water-producing capacity increases with depth of the sediments. Wells completed in Cretaceous sediments 82 to 600 feet deep yield 50 to 600 barrels of water daily, whereas those completed in Pennsylvanian sediments 360 to 4,110 feet deep yield 100 to 7,000 barrels daily. Although deeper formations are used where oil and water are produced conjunctively and where large withdrawal rates are required, insufficient well data prevented mapping of deeper formations.

Jan 1, 1961

By Terry J. Close

In 1985, at the request of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U. S. Bureau of Mines studied part of the 56,623-acre South McCullough Mountains Wilderness Study Area (NV-050-435) in order to evaluate its identified mineral resources. The area studied is located in Clark County, NV, about 30 miles southwest of Boulder City. No mineral resources were identified. The study area contains the eastern part of the unorganized McCullough Mountain (McClanahan) mining district which has had no recorded production. Between 1911 and 1982, 23 lode claims were located in the part of the mining district that is in the study area; four of these claims are currently held by assessment (1986). A total of 11 mineral sites were found and examined during the U.S. Bureau of Mines investigations; 26 mine workings were examined. Of the 11 sites, four are within the study area, and seven are nearby. Of the seven nearby sites, six are adjacent to the west boundary and consist of precious-and base-metals bearing vein occurrences in metamorphic rocks. The seventh site is near the east study area boundary, and consists of a tungsten-bearing vein occurrence that is also in metamorphic rocks. The four sites within the study area consist of vein occurrences in metamorphic rocks that contain silver, gold, arsenic, lead, zinc, and copper. The veins at these four sites are too small and low grade to be classified resources; however, there are indications that three of the sites may have silver and gold resources at depth. Detailed delineation of the veins, and determinations of tonnages and grades are needed. This would entail additional mapping and sampling, trenching and drilling, and opening inaccessible workings.

Jan 1, 1987

By Warren E. Morrison

This study was prepared in response to the need for a series of data that reflect the basic flow pattern of energy resources in the United States. To effectively measure and analyze energy,2 it is necessary to prepare balances that reflect both production and consumption, and the various forms energy resources take at different stages of utilization. Before energy can be measured it must also be put into a common unit. In this study the common unit us d is the British Thermal Unit (Btu). The ideal point to survey energy is at the stage of final ultimate use, representing the useful work derived from the interaction of energy inputs and the prime mover. Unfortunately this concept of efficient or useful work from energy output cannot readily be measured in the aggregate. With the present available official data, energy measurement can be carried to the point of calculation of net inputs of energy3 into the economy at various stages of utilization. However, preparation of energy balances, on a net basis is hampered by the fact that this can only be done for years when the censuses of Mineral Industries and Manufactures are taken, usually at 5-year intervals.

Jan 1, 1964