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By Franklin D. Cooper

This chapter includes tables for 1979 that were not available in time for publication in the 1978-79 Minerals Yearbook, but it does not include corresponding tables for 1980. The value of raw nonfuel mineral output in 1980 was estimated at $24.8 billion, 8.5% above the 1979 value. Of the 21 metal commodities produced, quantitative output increased for 11 and decreased for 10. The values for 10 metals were up, 10 were down, and 1 was unchanged. Among the 47 non-metallic commodities produced, 14 showed quantitative increases, 32 declined, and 1 was unchanged. In terms of value, 32 nonmetallics increased, and 15 declined.

Jan 1, 1981

By John E. Rourke, O&apos

A survey of existing and developing field permeability test methods was conducted in order to identify and specify capable methods to be used in feasibility investigations or performance monitoring for in situ leaching of ore deposits. Geologic settings of leachable deposits are discussed, as well as representative techniques used for the in situ leaching operation. Subsurface investigation techniques including drilling, core recovery, and down-hole inspection methods relevant to field permeability investigations are discussed. Field experience is examined and capable field permeability test methods are identified. Specifications for test borehole preparation, test performance. and methods of analysis are given. The test methods are comparatively rated in a matrix with respect to costs ease of use, and data effectiveness' for a broad range of conditions. Well Pump and Packer test methods receive high ratings. Recommendations are made for needed developments in field permeability test methods and a comprehensive bibliography is given.

Jan 1, 1977

By David C. Oyler

Three long horizontal holes were drilled from a directionally drilled surface hole at the Emerald Mine near Waynesburg, Pa. The purpose was to adapt the technique of directional drilling for use in draining methane from coalbeds. A 504-m (1,652-ft) long, 76-mm (3-in) diameter, circular arc pilot hole was drilled, using a downhole mud motor, to enter the Pittsburgh coalbed at a vertical depth of 305 m (1,000 ft). The hole was reamed to 222 mm (8-3/4 in) and was cased to a measured depth of 486 m (1,595 ft). Three 76-mm (3-in) diameter horizontal drainage holes were then drilled, totaling 2,909 m (9,544 ft) of horizontal hole. Improvements in drilling methods increased the average drilling rate from 20.4 ill (67 ft) to 64.9 m (213 ft) per day. The cost of drilling the directional and horizontal holes (using a Government-owned drill rig) was $1,169,530, a figure inflated by inexperience and by delays caused by lost-circulation problems and fishing operations. An estimated total drilling cost of $960,000 (including rental of a drill rig) for an improved system, was determined by a detailed cost analysis. Initial gas and water production from November 1979 through May 1980 was low because of caving of the horizontal holes drilled in shale near the bottom of the casing.

Jan 1, 1982

By Charles E. Munroe

On March 14, 1921, an explosion occurred at about 6:15 A.~. on the premises of an iron-mining concern throug:1 which two magazines, one containing upwards of 9,000 pounds ot a high explosive of the dynamite class, and a second, 60 feet distant, containing upwards of 10,000 No. 6 detonators, were completely destroyed, and a ncratertt,? f3et deep by 30 feet in diameter, was excavated in the gro~ at ~he place whare the mag~iine containing the high explosive had been lo~ated. As a rule any eye wit~esses to the circumstances im.~ediataly preceding and d(irectly concurrent with a.c.ci.:lental ex;losions ar.e victims of s11ch explosions, and, therefore, the conclusions reached as to the cauoa. of such explosions must, perf'orce, be based aln:ost completely on circumstantial evidetJ.ce. In this iii.stance, b:ecause both the explosive and detonators were of -orov{:;d: character; because of the time of the day and the state of operations iit the·· time of the e:.q,losion; because the rerroteness of the location of the n:-1agazi::1es 1 0::1 the side of a ravine, easily admittfi of unobserved approach; beca:iise differencas existed, and because no obvious cause was at once apparent, there arose suspicfon that the explosion was not accidental.

Sep 1, 1921

By Warren D. Longwill

The Bureau of Mines inventoried Federal lands in the State of Oregon and classified them in detail, section by section, according to their availability for mineral exploration and development as affected by legal status and agency management practices. The Bureau determined areas of the State having past mineral production and/or known metallic mineral resources and areas favorable for coal, oil, gas, and geothermal resources, and prepared maps that spatially compare the availability of Federal mineral land with these mineral areas to demonstrate the extent of restrictions to mineral entry. Oregon contains 62.1 million acres, of which 33.9 million acres or 55% is Federal mineral land. About 2.3 million acres of Federal land is favorable for selected metallic mineral deposits, of which 64% is available, 13% is restricted, and 23% is unavailable. Of the 21.1 million acres of Federal leasable land favorable for oil and gas, 68% is available, 11 % is restricted, and 21 % is unavailable. Of the 146,720 acres favorable for coal, approximately 71% is available, 13% is restricted, and 16% is unavailable. Federal leasable land favorable for geothermal resources amounts to 458,968 acres, of which 42% is available, 34% is restricted, and 24% is unavailable.

Jan 1, 1988

By R. H. Sprute

Extensive Bureau of Mines laboratory testing has shown that electrokinetic densification can be an effective method for dewatering and consolidating unclassified metal mine mill tailings. The report describes results of a limited field test of this technique. Eighteen-cubic-yard concrete model stopes, 18 feet long by 6 feet deep by 56 inches wide, were filled with unclassified tailings slurry from a metal mine in the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, district. Five different tests were performed. They showed that a strong, dense, dewatered fill can be obtained in a reasonably short time using electrokinetics, with typical power consumption of 25 to 30 kW-hr/yd3 of densified fill. At present power costs in the Coeur d 'Alene district, this would amount to 10 to 12 cents/yd3.

Jan 1, 1975

By Lloyd A. Morley

Two methods are presented to determine the mechanical shaft torque as a function of time for an induction motor. The methods are based on the motor equivalent circuit and use as input variables of the motor terminal voltage, line current, input power, and power factor. One method uses all four variables and the other uses only voltage and current. The test data deals specifically with continuous miners, but the theory could be applied to other mining machines driven by multiple induction motors. Results are given for the tramming, maneuvering, cutting, and cutting with loading operations and are in the form of a minimum, a maximum, and an average of the shaft-torque time function. The theoretical development and computer implementation are discussed for both methods.

Jan 1, 1978

By W. H. Rinkenbach, C. A. Taylor

"Among the recently patented detonating compounds that have been suggested as substitutes for the commonly used fulminate of mercury is the normal lead salt of trinitroresorcin, or styphnic acid. As no data concerning its use or practi¬cability were available, a study of its properties was made in the explosives laboratory at the Bureau of Mines experiment station at Pittsburgh, Pa. This paper embodies the results obtained.Normal lead trinitroresorcinate was first prepared and patented*** by Herz; it probably found some use during the World War, but no record of its performance is available,Preparation of Lead Trinitrpresorcinate.In his patent specifications, Herz states that the normal salt may be obtained in a quantitative way by precipitating a multiple of the equivalent weight of the lead salt of a strong inorganic acid - such as lead nitrate - in the presence of a weak organic acid - such as acetic acid - by heating with a Teak solution of the alkali-metal salts or alkaline-earth salts of trinitroresorcin. Herz gives the following example: 245 grams of dry trinitroresorcinand 290 grams of crystalline sodium carbonate are dissolved in in 18.8 liters of boiling water, to which 77 c.c. of glacial acetic acid is added. The toiling solution is mixed with a boiling solution of 650 grams of lead nitrate in 1.4 liters of water, stirring rapidly; and the mixture is boiled for two minutes, after which it is cooled quickly with constant stirring. The precipitated crystals are then filtered off, washed several times with cold water, and dried."

Oct 1, 1923

By H. William Zeller

The Bureau of Mines performed laboratory research into the effects of a barium-based fuel additive (the "postflame" type) on diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions. The 5.6-L, six-cylinder test engine is typical of types certifiable for use in underground mines. Test parameters consisted of additive concentration and engine loads, speed, and air intake restriction. DPM emissions, including condensed volatiles, were measured gravimetrically. Also measured were gaseous emissions including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. The fuel additive was effective, reducing DPM up to 75 pct, when used at a concentration of 0.09 wt pct (one-fourth of the concentration recommended by the manufacturer). The additive was most effective at the highest fuel-air ratios, reducing DPM from 400 mg/m3 for untreated fuel to 120 mg/m3. At light loads, 25 pct of full rated, no DPM reductions were measured. Based on these results, the additive is recommended for use in diesel fuel, at a concentration of 0.09 wt pct, to power underground mining equipment as long as certain conditions are met: that a beneficial DPM reduction is verified, that the minimum required quantity of additive is used, and that potential adverse effects such as increased nitrogen oxides are checked.

Jan 1, 1990

By D. Harrington

In general, mining is carried on underground, that is, in confined places where it is difficult to obtain adequate lighting and frequently in rock strata requiring much care to prevent caving. Moreover, explosives must be used in mining with the numerous hazards associated with them, and some mines give off explosive or irrespirable gases; also, ma- chinery must be used, usually under conditions much more hazardous than on the surface. These and many other considerations cause mining to be probably the most hazardous occupation in which large numbers of our fellow countrymen are employed. Prevention of accidents in the mining industry is far more complicated than in surface industrial work, even of the more hazardous types, because the different elements that enter into possible accident occurrence are ascertained more readily above ground and suitable action can be taken against them; moreover, errors in connection with prevention of accidents in surface industrial work usually affect only one or, possibly, a few persons, while in zines one human error may readily cause an explosion or other untoward occurrence resulting in the death of scores or even hundreds of persons. This difficulty in the prevention of accidents in and around mines is well-known, and most countries and States have regulations to guard the safety and, to a much smaller extent, the health of workers in mining and allied industries. In general, the State laws and regu- lations regarding the welfare of mine workers are merely a skeletonized outline of some more or less fundamental minimum requirements and are far too general to do much more than suggest some procedure which may or may not be safe or healthful. Most of them are grotesquely out-of-date as applied to present-day conditions, and none of them is adequate to protect life, limb, health, or property. Unquestionably, there is great need for a closer correlation of the laws and regulations of the various States with regard to safety in the mining and allied industries, and while mining conditions vary far too much for a standardized mine safety law applicable to all of the States, on the other hand there are numerous standard and fairly fundamental safety pro- visions which apply to all mines and which should be embodied in the mining codes of all States. Undoubtedly, these standardized safety requirements would be opposed by a consider- able part of the industry, but the ultimate effect would be beneficial to the owners, work- ers, and the general public. For many years progressive mining companies in the United States have not been satisfied to operate only within the meager safety requirements of the State laws or regulations and have adopted additional and far more effective safety procedure of their own, although com- plying also with the State laws and regulations. As a result of this forward-locking policy, zany of these companies have made astonishing progress in the reduction of accidents.

Dec 1, 1935

By Rudolf E. Greuer, Linneas W. Laage, Xinton Chang

UNIT OF MEASURE ABBREVIATIONS USED IN MFIRE FT foot FT3/MIN cubic foot per minute LBM•MIN2/FT4 pound mass times minutes squared over feet to the fourth FT2/HR square feet per hour BTU/HR*FT*F British thermal unit divided by hours times fimes feet times degree Fahrenheit IN W G inches water gage FT3/MIN cubic feet per minute FT2 square feet FT3 cubic feet LBM, pound mass F Fahrenheit IN W G /CFM2 inches water gage per cubic foot per minute squared PERCENTAGE percent BTU/MIN British thermal unit per minute MFIRE BAT PROGRAM cls echo off echo MFIRE activated mfire0 echo Wait a moment for loading the program if EXIST zheng chg mfirel if EXIST zheng chg mfire2 if EXIST zheng chg mfire1 if EXIST zheng chg erase zheng chg if EXIST hang chg erase hang chg if EXIST yunzhi fan copy yaodong.ion+yunzhi fan yaodong ion if EXIST yunzhi fan erase yunzhi fan if EXIST xintan chg copy yaodong xin+xintan chg yaodong ion if EXIST xintan chg erase xintan chg if EXIST yaodong xin copy yaodong.xin mfire out if EXIST yaodong.xin erase yaodong.xin if EXIST net erase net echo Your output is saved in file MFIRE OUT MFIRE0 FOR PROGRAM CHARACTER•50 A OPEN (10,FILE='NET',STATUS='UNKNOWN',FORM='UNFORMATTED') NETWW=0 WRITE (10) NETWW OPEN (21,FILE='ZHENG CHG',STATUS='UNKNOWN',FORM='UNFORMATTED') A=) ' B=0.0 WRITE (21) A WRITE (21) A,B

Jan 1, 1990

By Thomas R. Bur

The patterns of variation of the 21 anisotropic elastic constants with direction arc presented for all of the symmetry systems that are normally expected to occur in rocks and in the constituent minerals. The exception, which is not discussed, is the triclinic system for which no elastic constants are available. Variations are shown for rotations about the principal axes by means of polar graphs. These include graphs for all of the n-fold symmetry axes possible for elastic symmetry and thus make it possible to visualize variational patterns for rotations about any n-fold axis. Variations throughout space are shown by means of equal area projections for the only constants (those relating axial stress to axial strain) that are uniquely defined by a single closed surface. For those unfamiliar with the compliance (Sij) and stiffness (cij) coefficients, the variations that can be shown by Young's modulus (E), Poisson's ratio (v), and shear modulus (G) are also given.

Jan 1, 2012

By L. C. IlsLey

"The underlying principle of the storage battery was discovered within the memory of many still living, hence storage-battery locomotives, which were made possible by this discovery, represent a still more recent development. The Journal of the Franklin Institute for December, 1883, gives an account of the building of an electrical omnibus by The Electrical Storage Battery Co., of Millwall, London, This, if not the first, was among the first attempts to, use the storage battery as the source of energy for locomotion.During the period 1888 to 1893 occasional attempts were made to apply this idea practically, but not much was achieved along useful lines.. The progress during the next, 15 years was slow, and little success was achieved. Therefore, the last two decades may be considered the successful development period of the storage-battery locomotive.In coal mining, the application of the storage-battery locomotive is chiefly in gathering service in competition with animal or cable-reel locomotives. The locomotive delivers empty cars to the rooms or working places where the coal is being mined and hauls the loaded cars from the rooms. The length of haul depends upon the distance of, the junction point from the active workings of the mine. As a rule the haulage from the junction point to the foot of the shaft or bottom of the slope is done by trolley locomotives, but in some instances where the grades permit this main-line haulage work it: performed by storage-battery locomotives.As the place storage-battery locomotives occupy with respect to safe haulage in gassy mines appears to be misunderstood, it is the purpose of this paper to clarify this point.Those who originally designed storage-battery locomotives had no thought of safety in mind and it is just as well that they did not, as these early types of storage-battery locomotives with open controller open motor, open rheostats, flimsy headlights, and crude wiring were very dangerous electrically and not at' all suitable for use in a gassy mine. These locomotives, however, were placed in mines in which open lights were permitted and they replaced considerable animal haulage. Later they were gradually introduced in mines where closed lights were used, but in most cases these mines were not extremely gassy."

May 1, 1928

By A. B. Hooker, L. C. IlsLey

"Field inspections and data relative to the use of rubber—sheathed trailing cables in mines show that much cable is ruined or its probable life shortened by being overheated in service.The length of cable required to make connection from a source of supply to a machine at the face workings may be 100 to 500 feet. As a rule, the cable is carried on a reel and unreeled as required; and thus in most cases some of the cable is not removed from the reel. The overheating generally occurs in that part of the cable which is left on the reel.Factors that determine the heating of trailing cables are:1. The size of the conductors in the cable.2. The maximum energy to be supplied through the cable, based upon the horsepower of the motor and the degree to which the motor is loaded.3. The voltage of the supply and the variation of the voltage at the receiving4. The time length of current flow and whether continuous or intermittent.5. The kind of current (direct or alternating).6. The amount of cable left on the reel.7. The type of cable used.8. The kind of reel used.In connection with an investigation of the general performance of rubber—sheathed trailing cables, the Bureau of Mines has made a limited study of some of these factors, including the following points:"

Jul 1, 1931

By Thomas H. Dubaniewicz

Thirteen miners died as a result of 2 explosions in the Jim Walter Resources No. 5 mine near Brookwood AL in September 2001. Both explosions were ignited in intake air entries, and both were probably ignited by electrical equipment. With few exceptions, permissible equipment is not required in intake air entries of US underground coal mines Researchers with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory. studied the electrical equipment ignition sources for the Brookwood and other w disasters to develop recommendations for preventing similar disasters Adherence to National Electrical code® requirements for flexible cords installed in hazardous (classified) locations may have prevented the second massive Brookwood explosion. The 30 CFR Part 7 requirements for battery assemblies should be reevaluated, taking into consideration United Mine Workers of America recommendations and the Zone 1"increased safety" standard requirements for battery assemblies, Class 1 Division 2 or Zone 2 explosion protection techniques are recommended for intake air equipment so that they do not present a methane air ignition source under normal operation before mine power is shut down during emergencies Battery powered circuits intake air that are likely to remain energized during emergencies should be protected by more stringent protection techniques, to protect rescue/recovery personnel. Index Terms -Class 1 hazardous location, mine explosion, flexible cord, battery assembly, permissible equipment

By F. E. Armstrong

The Bureau of Mines has conducted a research program to systematize the art of locating uncharted and lost oil and gas wells that penetrate coal seams; this publication presents a preliminary summary of its findings. Although no method or combination of methods will guarantee finding all uncharted and abandoned wells in a particular area, at least 75 percent of such wells can be located by compiling and applying all available information and using modern metal detectors.

Jan 1, 1973

By J. S. Malesky

"INTRODUCTION The Airdox method of breaking coal utilizes compressed air under high pressure and was developed to replace explosives. It is used in Illinois and Indiana mines to a large extent and also has been introduced in mines in a few other States.ACKNOWLEDGMENTThe author gratefully acknowledges the information and photographs furnished by the Cardox Corp.HISTORYIn the early 1920's, with the adoption of mechanical mining in States where on-shift shooting was prohibited, it became desirable to develop some means of breaking coal from the face without the use of explosives. At that time it was thought that a pressure of 20,000 pounds per square inch would be necessary to break the seal. It was impossible to obtain a compressor that would develop this pressure therefore, the 'patentees developed and applied the Cardox method, which utilizes liquid carbon dioxide as the blasting medium."

Aug 1, 1948

By Maria I. De Rosa

The major fire and fire injury findings for all metal/nonmetal mining categories for 1990-2001 are shown in tables 64-65. Table 66, partly illustrated in figure 22, shows the number of fires, fire injuries, fire fatalities, risk rates, employees' working hours, and lost workdays for all metal/nonmetal mining categories by time period. For all metal/nonmetal operations (including stone and sand and gravel), a total of 518 fires occurred during 1990-2001; 296 of those fires caused 308 injuries and 4 fatalities (Ewhr = 4,012 x 106 hr, In = 0.015, LWD = 36,204). Thirty fires and 26 injuries involved contractors. The greatest number of fires and fire injuries occurred at surface operations; the highest risk rate values were also calculated for surface operations. The number of fires increased during the first four 2-year time periods (1990-1991, 1992-1993, 1994-1995, and 1996-1997), then decreased during the last two periods (1998-1999 and 2000-2001). The number of injuries showed a decrease throughout the periods, accompanied by an increase in employees' working hours. Twenty-five firefighting interventions by mine rescue teams in underground mines and at least 30 interventions at surface operations were required to combat these fires. However, 45 fires destroyed or heavily damaged facilities and equipment (including 19 pieces of mobile equipment) because of failure of firefighting methods, late fire detection, undetected fires, or fire size. Ninety-seven fires were detected late, and 30 fires were undetected. The ignition sources that caused the greatest number of fires were flame cutting/welding spark/slag/flame (169 fires or 33% with 137 injuries), hydraulic fluid/fuel sprayed onto equipment hot surfaces (89 fires or 17% with 46 injuries and 3 fatalities), heat source/explosion and flammable liquids/ gas/refueling fuel on hot surfaces (98 fires or 19% with 73 injuries), electrical short/arcing (51 fires or 10% with 16 injuries), and spontaneous combustion/hot material (46 fires or 9% with 17 injuries). The flame cutting/welding spark/slag/flame source caused fires usually involving welders' clothing or oxyfuel/grease and other materials (including chute and dust collector liners, flammable liquids, belt material, crusher, hopper and shaker deck materials, washer plants, equipment mechanical components, stampler breaker, hydraulic fluid, rubber tires and hoses, gear boxes, bin feeder, dump rope cables, screen liner and screen panel, kiln and shaft material, pipelines, liquor pumps, wood pallets, electrical junction boxes, handrails, grease, refuse, shop and wood). The spontaneous combustion/hot material and electrical fires were usually detected late due to lack of combustion gas/smoke detection systems. At least 55 of the 89 mobile equipment hydraulic fluid/fuel fires became large fires (requiring 12 mine rescue team interventions in underground

Jan 1, 2004

By J. B. Littlefield

[At B. meeting of the Subcommi ttce on Chemica.l _ et.lOds of Air Ant:..1ysis of-the American Public Health Ascociation in October 1937, the llse of the impinger for collectinG lcs.d fu.l1e wa:., discussed. The Bureau of \~nes de-cided to obtain infornw.tion on the efficiency of the lerge and midget im-pingers for this purpose y using the electric recipitator as a r?ference ]

Jan 1, 1938

By W. F. Netzeband

This paper, which describes mining methods and practices at the Rialto zinc-lead mine American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co., in northeastern Oklahoma, is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining methods, practices, and costs in various mining districts of the United States, The Rialto mine is in the SE1/4 SW1/4 sec. 20 and the NW1/4 sec. 29, T. 29 N., R. 23 E., Ottawa County, Okla. (fig. 1). The 200-acre property is southwest of and adjacent to the town of Picher in the central part of the Picher field of the Tri-State zinc-lead mining district (fig. 2). Other mines of the company adjoin the Rialto on the east and south. Zinc-lead ores have been mined almost continuously from the Rialto tract since 1916. The property was acquired by American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co. late in 1951, and the mine was operated thereafter by the Nellie B Division of that company until the end of 1955, when it was subleased to the Residue Mining Co.

Jan 1, 1958