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By J. H. East

Potash is one of the essential chemicals used in fertilizing soil deficient in natural minerals . Europe uses a large tonnage of potash in the form of easily soluble salts , and this is particularly true of those countries where the natural minerals in the soil have been exhausted owing to intensive cropping of the land . The application of potash to the soil in these countries is essential if normal crops are to be obtained ; during the war , some European countries were unable to obtain sufficient potash , and productivity of the farming areas declined seriously . • The largest -known deposits of potash in the world ; with the possible. exception of Russia , occur in Germany , and the German output of processed salts constituted about 65 percent of world production prior to the war . The German potash-plant installations are large , modern , brick and steel construction and apparently built for a planned operation of many years . Two districts produced approximately 80 percent of the German potash; the Werra -Fulda district , near Vacha , had the largest production , and the Sudharz district , near Nordhausen and Sonderhausen , was second . (Fig . 1. ) Hannover and Stassfurt were two smaller producers . Potash fertilizers are rated in terms of potassium oxide (K20 ) . The usual basis for calculation of production or application of the salt is to reduce the potash content to 40 percent K₂0 .

May 1, 1947

By S. J. Pearce

The Bureau of Mines has prepared, as circumstances have dictated, a series of Schedules setting forth the minimum requirements that various types of equipment should meet to be considered safe and satisfactory for use in certain hazardous or unhealthful conditions. These Schedules cover a wide variety of devices ranging from explosives to electrically operated mine locomotives. This paper deals with those Bureau of Mines Schedules under which respiratory protective devices are tested and approved, and its purpose is to explain the function and operation of these Schedules. Provisions have been made for testing and approval of the following types of respiratory protective devices: Self-contained breathing apparatus,2/ supplied-air respirators,3/ gas masks,4/ dispersoid respirators,5/ and chemical cartridge respirators.6 These devices are tested at the Central Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines in Pittsburgh, Pa. Self-contained breathing apparatus is tested by the Safety Branch, and the other types of respirators are tested by the Health Branch.

Jan 1, 1951

By S. H. Ash

NINE-TENTHS of the total anthracite deposits of North America are in Pennsylvania. Corrosion of pumping equipment by acid mine waters has been experienced at tremendous cost by mining companies in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania, for many years in many ways. The design and specifications of the large centrifugal pumps as provided in the proposed mine-drainage system (7-35, 45, 46, 48, 54, 64, 70, 71)° make it imperative that a metal or alloy be recommended that has the highest corrosion resistance and, at the same time, acceptable properties suitable for general workability (welding and machining). This report presents data on the corrosive and erosive effects of acid mine waters in the anthracite region on metals and alloys for pumping equipment and drainage facilities necessary to remove or control this water.

Jan 1, 1955

By Donald W. Ross

"INTRODUCTION Sponge iron has been made commercially since 1912 at a Swedish ceramic plant; and the product, known as Swedish disk—type sagger sponge iron, has an excellent reputation as a superior furnace feed wherever high—grade steels are made. The general procedure for making brickyard sponge iron was described frequently in Swedish technical journals prior to 1932 and at that time consisted in filling clay refractory containers, called saggers, with a super-concentrate of Gellivare magnetite plus the necessary amount of solid reducing agent and desulfurizer and then firing in a Hoffmann ring furnace, as used in the ceramic industry.The early Swedish publications describe two types of brickyard sponge iron: (1) An inferior high-sulfur product obtained by mixing the ore and reducing agent, and (2) a high-grade low-sulfur product in the form of coherent disks 7 to 9 inches in diameter and 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick made by the saggers with alternate layers of solid-fuel reducr and of uniaxed ore."

Sep 1, 1945

By J. F. Barkley

"The fly-ash problem of the smoke-abatement engineer - who now might well be titled, ""Smoke and Fly-Ash Abatement Engineer"" - starts with the necessity for him to know what fly ash really is, what plants really create it, and how much is being created. Fly ash in this connection may be defined as all solid particles emitted to the atmosphere as a result of the combustion of fuel.COMPOSITION OF FLY ASHMuch can be learned about fly ash by studying samples with a strong magnifying glass or, preferably, a high-power microscope. As an example, figure 1 is a photomicrograph of an underfeed-stoker fly ash weighing 23.7 pounds per cubic foot, which passed a baffle-type cinder catcher and was caught by a Cottrell precipitator. Figure 2 shows a similar fly ash made at a higher stoker rating and weighing 36.2 pounds per cubic foot. The lighter ash contains more light, unconsolidated ash than the heavier. In both instances some of the ash has been fused to a glass, as is indicated by the spherical particles resembling marbles; however, the heavier dust contains more and larger spheres. With the faster burning and higher air pressures occurring at the higher burning rates, more of the larger fused spheres reached the precipitator.Such studies of fly ash frequently make possible correct determination of its source. For example, the Supreme Court Building, one of the finest of the Federal buildings in Washington, was having considerable difficulty with fly ash from some outside plant. It was thought to come from a nearby apartment house. A fly-ash trap was installed there, and care was taken in the operation of their underfeed stokers. The fly-ash nuisance continued. Microscopic examination of the fly ash found about the building compared with samples taken from the stack of the apartment house showed to the surprise of the accusing building superintendent that the present source was elsewhere. By the same means, the source was found to be a plant about ore-half mile away."

Sep 1, 1939

By C. H. Fisher, M. L. Fein, A. Eisner, G. C. Sprunk, Loyal Clarke, H. H. Storch

"The large reserves of low-rank coals in the western United States are at a disadvantage in competing with the more mature but less plentiful eastern coals, which are nearer important markets and are more suitable for combustion and coke production. However, low-rank coals generally are amenable to hydrogenation, and the western coals might become an important source of liquid fuels and organic chemicals when petroleum is less plentiful.In view of these facts an the tremendous quantities available, further information on the western coals clearly desirable. The purpose of the work described in this paper was to study the hydrogenation characteristics of some of the low-rank western coals in discontinuous converters. The data obtained in this manner, which are inadequate for predicting the suitability of coals for large-scale continuous hydrogenation, were used as a basis for selecting samples for further study in the Bureau's experimental coal-hydrogenation plant (26, 35). 8/ Because of the general importance of the western coals and recently demonstrated relation between coal hydrogenation and petrograghy (14, 15, 16), the proportions of anthraxylon, (vitrain), translucent attritus, and opaque matter were determined. In some instances samples of anthraxylon were isolated and hydrogenated separately so that their properties might be compared with those of the entire coal. The samples studied include peat, brown coal, lignite, sub-bituminous coals, and low-rank bituminous coals."

Mar 1, 1940

By Lathrop E. Roberts

The opinion is general among smelter operators that magnetite formed in the converter and reverberatory furnace has much to do with the loss of copper in the slag. Its action appears to be due in part to its relatively high infusibility, chemical stability, and specific gravity, as a result of Which it tends to form a layer of highly viscous "magnetite mush" between slag and matte. Particles of matte which might otherwise settle out of the slag are unable to pass through this layer. Maier and Van Arsdele have shown that the inclusion of grills of matte in the slag is also at tires very probably due to chemical reaction between magnetite and the constituents of the matte. In smelter control and in any laboratory study of slats the determination of magnetite is therefore a matter of some importance. The difficulties in the ray of making such a determination with any accuracy are rather obvious. Iron may occur in slag as ferric oxide, magnetite, various intermediate oxides, sulphides, silicates, as free metal, and in solid solution of several of these substances. Even if only the total iron content is to be determined, accuracy can be obtained only by painstaking and time-consuming separations from interfering elements. The determination of ferrous, ferric, and free iron in the presence of each other is a difficult matter under the most favorable conditions, and when present in a slag the difficulties are increased by the refractory nature of the sample, by the presence of sulphides, and by such elements as vanadium and molybdenum.

Jan 1, 1931

By Lathrop E. Roberts

[The opinion is general among smelter operators that magnetite formed in the converter and reverberatory furnace has much to do with the loss of copper in the slag. Its action appears to be due in part to its relatively high infusibility, chemical stability, and specific gravity, as a result of which it tends to fern a layer of highly viscous. "magnetite mush" between slag and matte. Particles of matte which might otherwise settle out of the slag are unable to pass through this layer. Maier and, Van Arsdale4 have shorn that the inclusion of prills of matte in the slag is also at times very probably due to chemical reaction between magnetite and the constituents of the matte. In smelter control and in envy laboratory study of slats the determination of magnetite is therefore a matter of some importance. The difficulties in the ray of making such a determination with any accuracy are rather obvious. Iron may occur in slog as ferric oxide, magnetite, various intermediate oxides, sulphides, silicates, as free metal, and in solid solution of several of these substances. Even of only the total iron content is to be determined, accuracy can be obtained only by painstaking and time-consuming separation ions from interfering elements. The determination of ferrous, ferric, and free iron in the presence of each other is a difficult matter under the most favorable conditions, and linen present in a slag the difficulties are increased by the refractory nature of the sample, by the presence of sulphides, and by ouch elements as vanadium and molybdenum.]

Jan 1, 1931

By Raymond B. Ladoo

Garnets are usually found well crystallized in the cubic system , the principal forms being rhombic dodecahedrons , tetragonal trisoctahedrons or combinations of the two , and hexoctahedrons . They also occur as rounded disseminated glassy grains and in compact massive , laminated or gramlar aggregates . They vary greatly in color , but the most common garnets , almandite and andradite , are most often found of a dark red or reddish brown color .

Apr 1, 1922

By Paul. E. Pesonen

Since early in 1940 the Bureau of Mines has been concerned with possible means of utilizing manganese-bearing materials from the Missouri Valley manganese deposit. During the period between July 1945 and August 1947, the Bureau of Mines undertook to complete certain phases of the problem by re-evaluating the results of earlier work and supplementing the findings by additional operations and field studies considered necessary to permit drawing of final conclusions. Distinctive discoloration marks the outcrop of the manganese deposit which is exposed on both flanks of the Missouri River Valley and its major tributaries for a peripheral distance of approximately 523 miles in south-central South Dakota. The apparent magnitude of the deposit, judged largely from observation of the outcrop, had led to much speculation as to its actual value in terms of tonnage and grade. Similarly, investigative work aimed at developing a means of winning a usable manganese-rich product from the deposit had reached no conclusion, except that certain methods showed more promise than others for accomplishing the final objective.

Jan 1, 1948

By JeffreyS. Vipperman, Daniel R. Babich, EricR. Bauer

In response to the continuing problem of noise induced hearing loss NIHL among mine workers, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH has conducted numerous noise surveys in coal preparation plants. The research, consisting of worker dose monitoring, task observations, and equipment noise profiling, was completed in eight separate preparation plants. Worker dose monitoring was conducted for three shifts in most cases. Workers experiencing higher than allowable doses were task-observed for one full shift to correlate dose to noise source(s). Finally, noise levels on all floors, and in lunchrooms and control rooms, were characterized. Results indicate that only workers who routinely spend a significant portion of their shift in the plants (away from the control rooms) are susceptible to overexposure from noise. Certain pieces of equipment (screens, centrifuges, sieve bends) are the loudest primary noise sources responsible for the worker noise exposures.

By Maurice E. Bailey

The purpose of this study is to determine worker acceptance of modified mine equipment at various intervals during a twelve month period. A survey instrument was administered to the workers by two experienced miners in four interviews. All four interviews showed a significant positive response to all modifications, except the small size of the cab of the shuttle car; however, the small size produced significant negative responses with respect to comfort in each of the four interviews. Initially, (interviews one and two), there were significant negative responses with respect to manufacturer receptivity to operator suggestions and program management follow-through on operator suggestions; however, the third and fourth interviews showed no significant negative responses with respect to these items. Likewise, there were significant neutral responses in the first two interviews; however, the third and fourth interviews showed no significant neutral responses with respect to these items.

Jan 1, 1975

By D. Harrington

The greatly extended use of the underground trolley-locomotive system for hauling coal without doubt was one of the most important factors in the rapid progress of coal mining and the increased production of coal in American coal mines during the period 1910-20. Much of the superior efficiency of production of our underground coal and metal lines should also be credited to the trolley locomotive system. The trend to mechanization of mines during the past 15 years, mere particularly the past 5 years, with higher production per man employed and greatly accelerated advancement of working places, has required increased use of trolley locomotives, necessitating larger equipment, higher speeds, and more 'frequent turn over of pit cars. This is re¬flected in increased size of locomotives and the use of larger mine ears (some with a capacity up to or over 10 tons); moreover, heavier rails and larger-size trolley wires have boon or ought to have boon installed. Trolley-locomotive haulage has proved to be rapid; economical, efficient, and productive; nevertheless; in spite of these advantages, so-many hazardous features and, unsafe conditions are involved and the price paid in life and property is so high as to justify the statement that the system should be scrapped if it cannot be operated under reasonably safe conditions. Since bare trolloy wires were introduced into underground mines, they have boon responsible for the death of hundreds of diners, property damage totaling millions of dollars, an indeterminate loss of tonnage through the abandonment of mines or parts of mines, and loss of time after disasters caused by fires or explosions originated by the trolley haulage system.

Jan 1, 1945

By H. Herbert Hughes

Soapstone commonly is associated with talc , and reports on either commodity usually contain a discussion of the other . From a geological or mineralogical standpoint the combination is justifiable , for soapstone essentially is impure talc . Commercially , however , the relation between them is remote . About 95 per cent of all talc sold in the United States is in ground form, whereas practically all soapstone is sold as furnace blocks or as fabricated structural slabs for many and diverse applications .

Feb 1, 1932

By Paul M. Tyler

The alkali metals , sodium and potassium , and more particularly sodium , occur abundantly in chemical combination with other elements . The elements themselves are available in metallic form but are so active chemically that they oxidize rapidly in contact merely with the air . Potassium will even catch fire spontaneously in air , and both the metals will decompose water with explosive violence . Inasmuch as they are almost as soft as wax they are not suitable for the structural or other mechanical uses characteristic of ordinary metals , and consequently the uses of these elements even in the metallic condition are based upon chemical rather than physical qualities . Sodium metal is used largely as a commercial reducing agent , but potassium metal is rarely found outside of chemical laboratories . Numerous salts and other compounds of these elements enter largely into world trade and are commercially very important , but none of these compounds except sodium peroxide and sodium cyanide are made economically from the metals . Sodium is generally considered as rather an uncommon metal , but in point of annual tonnage produced it is far more important than mercury , magnesium , molybdenum , bismuth, cadmium, cobalt , gold , silver , or the various rarer metals .

Apr 1, 1932

By Rimas Pakalnis, Doug Milne, Marc Ruest, Lewis Martin

Whereas many researchers and mine engineers have conducted tests on cable bolts using various grouts, water: cement ratios, and physical modifications of the cable to determine the load-carrying characteristics ofa bolt, few studies have been conducted on cable bolts fitted with internal instruments. Those studies that have been done have concentrated on cable response averaged over significant (6.1 m) cable lengths. Researchers at the Spokane Research Laboratory (SRL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Spokane, WA, are investigating the physical properties of cable bolts by replacing the conventional king wire with a modified king wire on which strain gauges have been installed. A numerical analysis was performed to match laboratory results. Loads calculated by the model were then compared to loads measured in the laboratory on 1.83-m-long cables grouted into two 0.91-m-long pull-tube assemblies. Load along the cable was monitored with 20 strain gauges installed along the length of the cable. This paper documents test results on these modified cable bolts. The instrumented cable bolt provided reproducible point measurements of cable load as opposed to load measurements averaged over long cable lengths. Such point measurements can assist in interpreting the influence of cable confinement, grout quality, rock mass stiffness, and other factors. The instrumented cable bolt is a practical field and research tool because it can predict point loading along the cable. The instrument has been successfully field tested at FMC's Granger Mine, Granger, WY; the Meikle Mine, Carlin, NV; the Stillwater Mine, Nye, MT; and the Getchell Mine, Golconda, NV. By monitoring load and displacement of the rock mass using these instrumented bolts, more-effective ground support can be selected and installed, which will lead to safer working conditions for miners.

Jan 4, 2004

By E. C. Hoeman, W. C. Stoecker, R. C. Redfield

"INTRODUCTION Industrial sands, characterized by specific physical and chemical proportion, are,essential new materials for the manufacture of glass, sodium siliante and other products. Sands of suitable characteristics are used extensively for molds and cores in the casting of metals as a granular medium in municipal water filters, as abrasives, as traction sand to prevent the slipping of driving wheels of self-propelled vehicles on trucks and in various ceramic and other structural forms. In addition to the use of common silicon sands in concrete, cement, and mortar, special sands find use in sand-lime brick oxychloride cement, and flooring, for coating prepared roofing, and for placing ware in saggers although sand for sandpaper has been mostly displaced by other harder mineral or synthetic grains, other abrasive uses are numerous and include sandblasting stone sawing, glass burnishing and finishing."

Oct 1, 1945

Objective To develop safety training tools for mine safety and health professionals that fill gaps in currently available materials. Background Over the past 4 years, NIOSH has developed and released a series of training videos targeted at underground mine safety. These videos were developed in close cooperation with the mining industry and safety training professionals and were intended to provide realistic, interesting, effective training to both new hires and experienced miners. The videos cover the mining cycle, starting with the breaking of the rock (Handling Explosives in Modern Mines), making certain the work area is safe after a blast (Rock Falls— Preventing Rock Fall Injuries in Underground Mines), installation of ground supports and recognition of failed supports (Miner Mike Saves the Day), and hauling both ore and materials in the mine (Hazards in Motion). A separate video (Hidden Scars) captures the story of a fatal rock burst through an interview with a miner who nearly died and who lost his partner in the accident. These videos have been extremely popular in the mining industry and are being used across the nation as well as in 18 other countries. Two of them, Rock Falls and Miner Mike Saves the Day, have won Alice Hamilton awards, NIOSH’s highest recognition for Excellence in Occupational Safety and Health, in the Educational Materials category. Approach A recently completed independent evaluation of the SRL mining videos identified five themes that mine safety trainers consider necessary for successful training materials: high quality, credibility, accurate content, effectiveness, and an engaging nature. All of the NIOSH videos were rated very high for each theme. Using these measures of effectiveness, a more difficult challenge has been undertaken. Much has been written in the mining industry about the coming turnover in employment. The average age of miners in the United States is approaching 50, and many of the “experts” will be leaving the industry as they reach retirement age. The mining industry, like many industries involving skilled labor, relies heavily on a master-apprentice relationship between new hires and older miners. New hands learn from experienced miners. Their learning falls into three primary categories—they learn what’s important to know, they learn how to do things correctly and safely, and they learn the culture.

Mar 1, 2002

By Robert S. Sanford, Harold C. Pierce

"At one time the Alaskan Eskimo lived in many small settlements scattered along the Arctic coast. These settlements extended as far south as Bristol Bay and several miles inland on the large rivers. When the white man established trading posts, schools, hospitals, and missions, these people gradually congregated around them in a few large villages. The natural fuel supply near many of the large villages along the Arctic coast became exhausted as a result of the abnormally large influx of people from small outlying settlements.The population of Barrow, Alaska, according to the 1940 census, is 363 persons, but since that time it has increased considerably, and later estimates place the present population between 400 and 500 persons. With the exception of 25 white persons, the entire population is comprised of Eskimos.The government maintains a school, hospital, radio station, and weather station at Barrow. In addition to the government, installations, there is a church, a privately owned trading post, and cooperative store owned by the Eskimos.For many years the Barrow Eskimos depended on driftwood and petroleum residue from Cape Simpson for their fuel supply. This fuel provided not only warmth for the Eskimo during the long cold winters but also heat for melting ice, the only source of 'water during .the winter. In recent years the sources of petroleum residue and driftwood have not been adequate to meet the demands for fuel During the winter of 1942-43 and again in 1943-44, Barrow experienced an acute shortage of fuel.The fuel problem at Barrow was brought to the attention of Governor Ernest E. Gruening, who was instrumental in getting a Bureau of Mines engineer4/ to investigate reported coal occurrences in the vicinity. Coal deposits along the Meade River and at Peard Bay were examined during the spring and fall of 1943. The Alaska Native Service shipped in mining equipment in September 1943 and commenced stripping an open-pit mine on the Meade River in June 1944. In conjunction with this work, an engineer5/ of the Bureau explored by churn drilling to determine the tonnage of- coal in the vicinity of the mine. In addition to this work, the Bureau of mines examined coal deposits in Peard Bay area and along the Kuk River south of Wainwright."

Nov 1, 1924

By John C. Machisak

The Nation's mining and quarrying industries have again met the annual challenge to their ingenuity--that of reducing disabling work injuries among their employees. The effectiveness of management in facing this problem and in meeting this responsibility from the results of the 1961 National Safety Competition. Three hundred ninety-three or 45.3 percent of the mines and quarries participating in the competition established a new record number of participants operating throughout the competition year without a disabling work injury. Another record established in the 1961 contest was the number of participants (868) enrolled in the competition. This annual safety competition was begun in 1925 and is conducted by the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior. It provides for six bronze Sentinels of safety trophies which are awarded each year to the winning participant in each group. Since its inception, the competition has exerted a strong influence in the field of safety promotion. The statistical record of its accomplishments over the years gives strong support to the theory that well-organized and well-administered safety programs are effective tools to be used to reduce the number of disabling work injuries. It stimulates and holds the interest of employees and management in accident prevention. Because of this, mines and quarries participating in the contest have a more favorable safety record than those operations not enrolled.

Jan 1, 1963