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By R. Farrar

Protective canopies for conventional electric face equipment, including shuttle cars, operating in low coal (less than 48 inches) were designed, fabricated, installed and evaluated on in-mine machines engaged in regular coal mining operations. This work was performed under contract to the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh Mining and Safety Research Center. The canopies will support a vertical load of 18,000 pounds and provide protection against both roof falls and contact with the mine rib. Canopy configurations were established based on human engineering studies, full scale canopy mockups, and in-mine observation and consultation with mine and equipment manufacturing personnel. Overall height of each canopy is hydraulically adjustable between a minimum of 32 inches and a maximum of 40 inches. Canopy tops are open framework, welded structures, covered with expanded metal mesh. Structural members are 1 3/4-inch or 2-inch square tubing of AISI 413ON and ASTM A500 material, respectively. The canopy tops are typically supported by an understructure and upright post arrangement that is either integrated into the current operator platform or attached to the machine frame. The four upright corner posts house the hydraulic actuators. Canopy tops are elevated horizontally. Canopies are welded or bolted to the existing machines. Installation is accomplished with a minimal amount of interface modifications. No major machine design changes are required. Canopies were trial installed and load tested at the manufacturer's facility prior to installation on the in-mine machines. Canopies were installed on a Joy 14BU10 Loader, 16RB-3AH Cutter, and two 21SC Shuttle Cars, and a Galis 300 Roof Drill and 460-S Face Drill. Canopy installations were evaluated in the Jewell Ridge Coal Company No. 12 and Big Creek Tiller Mines. Operational time accumulated on the installations during evaluation ranged from 1 week to 14 weeks of two-shift operation. All five canopy designs, manufacture, and test were successfully accomplished. The five canopies met all safety requirements. Three of the five canopies were deemed to be completely successful from an operator's point of view. That is, mine management as well as the machine operator found that the canopies did not impede the operation of the machines to function with the same efficiency as before the installation of the canopies. The loader canopy, in fact, appeared to have provided a mole efficient operation of the loader by providing added safety to the operator from rib contact thus allowing him to concentrate more fully on the loading function. Operational problems were encountered with the shuttle car and the roof drill. The shuttle car canopy obstructed visibility to an objectionable amount and the roof drill canopy impeded maneuverability of the machine, more than doubling the roof bolting time.

Jan 1, 2012

By M. J. Beus

Researchers at the U.S. Bureau of Mines have developed personal-computer-based data acquisition, instrumentation, and mine visualization and modeling techniques to evaluate a mine accessway in a deep hard-rock mine in northern Idaho. These techniques were applied to a mine shaft in a large silver mine that has been in operation for many years. A very deep, rectangular, timber-supported shaft extending to depths exceeding 2.3 km (7,500 ft) had been deforming continuously as a result of nearby mining, resulting in operational problems. Preliminary visual observations and rock and support monitoring confirmed that severe diagonal distortion was occurring. Extensive field measurements and data analysis confirmed initial observations, provided insights into the cause of deformation, and defined a general approach to structural modeling. Computer analysis of the problem was initiated by developing a three-dimensional model of the terrain. This represented a volume of rock approximately 80 km3 (40 x 1010 ft3) and an area on the surface surrounding the mine 9 km2 (3 square miles). Based on this model, a three-dimensional, finite- element analysis was conducted to establish boundary conditions for sequentially more detailed two- and three-dimensional submodels of the shaft area. Results from the computer study are being used to develop new approaches to mine design and to provide design guidelines for deep mine accessways subject to severe rock-mass loading conditions.

Jan 1, 2010

This report, 27th in a continuing series1, describes Bureau of Mines research and technologic work on coal and related investigations during 1962. While the brief discussion in each section of the report presents only the highlights of Bureau work during the year, details of many investigations can be found in publications cited in this text. Other work, reported here for the first time, will be covered in greater detail in later publications. Recent trends in coal research and technology both at home and abroad were reviewed in several publications2. Bureau research, as in the past3, continued to stress improved methods of mining, preparing, processing, and using coal. The program included a wide variety of applied and basic studies for developing information useful to the coal mining industry and the coal consumer while promoting wise conservation and utilization of our coal resources.

Jan 1, 1963

This report, 27th in a continuing series1, describes Bureau of Mines research and technologic work on coal and related investigations during 1962. While the brief discussion in each section of the report presents only the highlights of Bureau work during the year, details of many investigations can be found in publications cited in this text. Other work, reported here for the first time, will be covered in greater detail in later publications. Recent trends in coal research and technology both at home and abroad were reviewed in several publications2. Bureau research, as in the past3, continued to stress improved methods of mining, preparing, processing, and using coal. The program included a wide variety of applied and basic studies for developing information useful to the coal mining industry and the coal consumer while promoting wise conservation and utilization of our coal resources.

Jan 1, 1963

By J. A. HUFF, V. V. BAKER

This circular is intended to present in brief form the statutory provisions of Pennsylvania regarding mining operations, in force at the end of the 1931 session of the legislature. lo reference is made to general laws which affect mining only incidentally in common with other subjects, such as the workmens compensation law. The statements have been condensed as far as practicable, and provisions not deemed of general interest, such as matters dealing only with administrative details, have been omitted. This circular obviously is not written with such particularity as to be of great value to the legal profession, but it is hoped that it will be beneficial to the mining industry in giving this information in a relatively compact form. At the end of each paragraph the statute from which it is derived is cited to facilitate reference to the text of the law. It is planned to publish additional circulars from time to time dealing with the mining laws of other States. Any criticisms of the form of publica- tion followed herein, or suggestions aimed at the improvement of future circulars, will be welcomed.

Nov 1, 1932

By Fredrick L. Johnson

In 1987, the U.S. Bureau of Mines began a study of the 4.0 million acre Toiyabe National Forest located in eastern California and western Nevada. This report is a compilation of published, company, and field data for part of the Paradise Range, Nevada. The information is intended to aid the U.S. Forest Service in their long range management of minerals and augment the USBM data base. The Paradise Range study area, located 60 air mi northwest of Tonopah, NV, encompasses about 100,000 acres of which approximately 71,000 are administered by the USFS. The area is in the Basin and Range Province and consists of an east tilted block of sedimentary, metamorphic, and volcanic rocks which have been intruded by granitic rocks. Three major mining districts, the Ellsworth, Gabbs, and Fairplay are in, or extend into the study area. The earliest recorded mining activity occurred in the Ellsworth district in the early 1860's. Commodities produced from the study area include gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, tungsten, iron ore, magnesite, and brucite. The Phelps Stokes Iron mine has produced about 1.1 million tons of iron ore, the Baxter-Hancock mine has produced over 10,000 stu WO3, and the Gabbs Brucite-Magnesite mine has produced millions of tons of brucite and magnesite. Numerous other mines have produced, but quantities are relatively small. According to company information the Gabbs mine, currently producing, has brucite-magnesite reserves that will last at least 50 years at current mining rates. One hundred thirty one million tons of identified copper-molybdenum resources exist at the B.C. Springs prospect according to company information, but molybdic oxide (Mo03) prices would need to double or triple from the current $3.00-3.10 per lb before mining of the deposit would be economical. Most company exploration activity in the study area is now focussed on precious metals. Active, or recently active mining claims appear to cover more than one-half of the 100,000 acres studied.

Jan 1, 1991

By George Markon

The importance of United States coal exports as a component of the national economy, the potential for growth of these exports, and the inter-national character of this sector of the coal industry are described in this report. The report summarizes some of the many background elements in the rise of United States coals to preeminence in highly competitive world markets. It presents some insight into this important sector of United States industry and the positive contribution of this sector to the Nation's balance of payments. It contains pertinent basic statistics on production, trade, and consumption of coal in most major markets for 1960-66. The report examines the movement of United States coals from mines to export markets, tracing and describing origins, exit ports, prices, and trends as well as inland and ocean freight rates and other data vital to an under-standing of some of the practices and complexities of the United States coal markets abroad. A brief sketch of coal production and consumption in principal importing countries is also presented with a short review of some of the more current practices and problems of these countries. Coal produced in inland areas of the. United States can be moved to and distributed economically within coal-producing countries overseas and in Canada. Quality coals from the United States can successfully compete with foreign coals in nearly any area of the world on a truly economic basis because of their high grade and their low cost which derives from the high productivity of the miner and from reasonable ocean freight rates. Because of tariffs, trade embargoes, quotas, and other restrictions, how-I ever, foreign coal markets are relatively limited. Further limitations are imposed in some countries by economic conditions which restrict all imports as a matter of financial and economic necessity. Despite these obstacles, United States coals have brought lower cost quality coals to a large segment of the foreign energy market.

Jan 1, 1968

Data released by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis show continued gradual change in the real GNP's rate of growth in 1984, which has eased from an annual growth rate of 10.1 percent in the first quarter lo 7.1 percent in the second quarter, and then to 2.7 percent in the third quarter. The automobile industry strike in the last half of September had only a small effect, estimated at less than a 0.1 percentage point reduction in the growth rate. Among the components that comprise the GNP, personal consumption and fixed investment grew at lower real rates in the third quarter than in the second quarter, while net exports decreased. Personal consumption expenditures increased $0.4 billion in the third quarter, compared with an increase of $20.1 billion in the second quarter. Nonresidential fixed investment increased $3.9 billion in the third quarter, compared with $9.6 billion in the second quarter. The other component of fixed investment--residential investment--increased from $60.8 billion in the second quarter to $61.2 billion in the third quarter. Real net exports of goods and services decreased $1 1.3 billion in the third quarter, compared with a $3.1 billion decrease in the second quarter. Although exports increased from an annual rate of $144.7 billion to $150.2 billion, imports increased much more, from an annual rate of $1 56.2. billion to $172.8 billion (table 1).

Jan 1, 1984

By Charles L. Harness

Fifty years ago, the belief that "fillers" were added to paints for the sole purpose of diluting and cheapening the pigment may have been justified; but paint technology has made tremendous progress since that time, and today both the manufacturer and the consumer know that the judicious use of fillers may add desirable properties to a paint that cannot be introduced in any other way. A growing respect for these accessory materials has led to the use of the more euphemistic term "extender." The names "extender" and "filler" are to a considerable degree synonymous. The newer term, "extender," is adopted in this paper, though it is actually no more descriptive than the older name. Stewart's3/ definition of extender is: "A cheap pigment, usually of an inert type, used to extend or increase the bulk of a paint, thus reducing its unit cost. Extenders are also used to adjust the consistency of a paint and to let down colored pigments of great tinting strength. The use of an extender in a paint does not necessarily mean the resultant product will be inferior. In fact, extenders sometimes, improve -certain characteristics of a film." All extenders are not cheap, as, for example, wet-ground mica and diatomite. Research in the, use of extenders (also sometimes called "inerts") has been one of the host active branches of study in the paint field; and many thousands of dollars have been spent in establishing the physical and chemical characteristics required of various natural mineral extenders for numerous paint formulas

Jan 1, 1943

By Jeanie Wills, Theresa Nyabeze, Samantha Espley, Donna Beneteau

This presentation reports survey findings that aim to modernize the definition and understanding of the term 'mining.' The survey, conducted via LinkedIn in Winter 2024, garnered responses from a diverse group of individuals, including current or former employees of mining or exploration companies, mining consulting firms, service providers, supplier firms, as well as students and retirees with industry experience. The data, ethically approved by the University of Saskatchewan, offers valuable insights into satisfaction levels within the mining sector and suggests an expansion of the identifying characteristics of definitions of mining. This marks the third CIM gaining insights paper by Beneteau, Espley, and Nyabeze, following previous works on 'Career Satisfaction for Women in Mining' (2010) and 'Mentorship Initiatives in the Canadian Mining Industry' (2018*)."

Oct 1, 2024

By Charles M. Keenan

THIS PUELICATION lists and provides brief accounts of the major disasters not classified as explosions of gas or dust that have occurred in the cod mines of the United States from the earliest times to the present. Together with an earlier publication of the Bureau2 it provides information on all the known major coal-he disasters (disasters causing five or more deaths) in this Nation's history. Sources of each account are given individually. In each account the actual words of the original publication are used unchanged, but sentences or paragraphs referring to details that are not significant have been omitted. In those few cases where conflicting data were reported in different publications the selected version is the one that appears most logical and which in general is in agreement with most of the other accounts.

Jan 1, 1963

By W. C. MENDENHALL

THE problem of maintaining the mining industry is two-fold; finding new supplies in the face of increasing difficulties, and making such advances in the arts of extraction and preparation as to use supplies of lower grade. Progress in mining and reduction methods and in transportation makes ore today of that which was waste yesterday. These are the fields of the metallurgists and the transportation engineers. The geologists and mining engineers must work together on the problem of ore finding. As the old prospector fades from the scene, men with equal hardihood and patience and equal power to meet the physical obstacles which confront the seeker after ore, must take his place, armed with all that has been learned from human experience about the causes, the controlling conditions, the indications, and hiding places of the metals. Such a seeker is dealing with some of the most complex and obscure of natural phenomena. In nature's laboratory, tremendous forces are at work. Tempera-

Jan 1, 1926

By B. Calver, D. J. M. Farnsworth

"As open-pit operations expanded at Pine Point, hydraulic aquifer evaluation was undertaken to establish the criteria necessary for the design of a feasible dewatering system.The extreme climate of this northern location dictated that the ore zone under extraction be rendered as dry as possible to minimize freezing effects. The design and implementation of such a system necessitated detailed hydraulic evaluation, and the problems that occurred are typical of those inherent in open-pit mining operations in northern areas.The paper describes the problem solution as approached from a mine engineering point of view, with particular reference to the practical aspects of operation and installation. The hydrological analysis used is simple and readily applicable to most open-pit dewatering problems."

Jan 1, 1969

By J. F. Barkley

To reduce fuel consumption in industrial and commercial fuel-burning plants throughout the Nation, cooperative efforts of thousands of individuals are required. These individuals are scattered over the country and hold various positions in thousands of independent establishments. To accomplish as much as possible on this problem during the Second World War, it was decided that personal contact with fuel users was absolutely necessary; publicity, although an important factor, could not by itself give satisfactory and needed results. It was planned to have qualified engineers visit commercial establishments to go over with them the problem of reducing their fuel consumption. The specific plan, toward which all efforts aimed and around which the rest of the program revolved, consisted in brief of 1. Conference of visiting engineer with management to obtain cooperation. 2. Appointment by management of a plant employee as fuel "waste chaser." 3. Work of engineer with "waste chaser" and, if appropriate, with plant operators on most efficient operation of equipment.

Jan 1, 1948

By C. M. Harrer

The location, features, qualities, and extent of iron occurrences and the associated resources--limestone and dolomite, bentonite, coal-lignite, petroleum and natural gas, power, and water--are evaluated. The results of pioneer beneficiation tests on South Dakota taconite are discussed. In addition, pertinent features of taconite development, cost factors, the Western and Central United States trade area and markets are reported. The State's production of iron ores until 1963 has been small and for purposes other than the manufacture of iron. This investigation disclosed the probability of large resources of taconite in Pennington and Lawrence Counties. The average iron content is 29 percent, and a 65-percent or better iron concentrate might be produced. Ample resources are available for mining and processing taconite. An investment of at least $26 million would be required for a plant capable of turning out 1 million tons of agglomerated iron concentrate per year. The feasibility of such an enterprise is indicated, but intensive investigation and research must be completed to justify such an investment.

Jan 1, 1966

By N. T. Lowe

This Bureau of Mines publication presents salient deposit information in abstract form on 119 principal mineral deposits in the State of Nevada. Commodity coverage addresses 17 critical and strategic commodities that appear to have commercial production potential in the State. The core of the deposits described is taken from those properties evaluated d under the Bureau of Mines Minerals Availability Program (MAP); additional deposits are included to provide a more complete coverage. Institutional and infrastructural factors affecting mineral development are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1985

By Victor V. Verbinski

This report presents the development of a raw coal concentration sensor for hydro-transport of coal and refuse (rock) from underground mines, and the results of an international test series carried out at the Colorado School of Mines Research Institute in Golden, Colorado, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Hydraulic Transport Research Facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Saskatchewan Research Facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the Steinkohlenbergbauverein Test Facility in Essen, West Germany. Test results are presented for a three-component sensor and also for the more rugged two-component (all nuclear) sensor.

Jan 1, 1988

By George S. Rice

In 1911 the Director of the United States Bureau of Mines instructed the chief mining engineer of the bureau , during an investigation of coal-mine safety conditions in Europe, to ask the directors of the various mine-experiment stations whether they would favor a European conference . The majority of the officials in immediate charge of experiment stations favored the plan , and Victor Watteyne, inspector general of Belgium, suggested that the United States call such a conference to be held immediately after the Eighth International Congress of Applied Chemistry, which was to assemble in New York on September 3, 1912 . Accordingly, invitations were issued by the United States Government to those countries having mine-experiment stations , namely, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, France, Germany , and Great Britain, and to those that contemplated the establishment of such stations , Canada and Mexico . All but Great Britain and Canada accepted ; Mexico designated a representative , who later found it impossible to come. The Government of Great Britain in declining, expressed regret at its inability to accept ; an informal statement was made that the opening of the experimental gallery at Eskmeals , England , occupied the attention of the officials in charge . Delegates were appointed by their respective Governments as follows: Austria-Hungary, Julian Czaplinski , royal mining engineer. Belgium, Victor Watteyne , inspector general of mines . France, J. Taffanel, director of the Lievin experiment station . Germany, Carl Beyling, bergassessor, director of Dortmund experiment station. United States , Charles E. Munroe, consulting explosives expert and George S. Rice, chief mining engineer of the Bureau of Mines . Subsequently Mr. William O'Connor , a mining engineer and mine operator of Wales , who opportunely appeared at the Pittsburgh station with letters of introduction from the South Wales Institute of Engineers and from prominent mining officials of Great Britain , was unanimously invited to take part in the meeting as an unofficial representative of Great Britain . Messrs . Beyling, Taffanel , and Watteyne were met in New York on September 3, by George S. Rice, who accompanied them to Washington, where they were welcomed by Director J. A. Holmes , of the Bureau of Mines , and where , with the delegates to the Eighth International Congress of Applied Chemistry , they were presented to President Taft . Mr. Taffanel was unfortunately called back to France just before the scheduled time of the conference on account of a mine disaster ; the other delegates , including Mr. Czaplinski , convened at Pittsburgh on the morning of September 14. Mr. Rice, representing the Director of the Bureau of Mines , acted as temporary chairman , and called the meeting to order.

Jan 1, 1914

By K. U. Kainer

Magnesium and its alloys as the lightest available construction metal offer a wide range of opportunities for the usage in transportation industries, especially Magnesium wrought alloys with their improved mechanical properties show a high potential for structural applications, While magnesium cast components have found their application the interest is now spreading to wrought alloys due to the possibility to get even more homogeneous and better properties compared to cast parts, Therefore alloy and process development especially for extruded and sheet material is a main concern to enhance the application of Magnesium wrought alloys, Castings are still form the majority of applications of magnesium alloys, although efforts to develop adequate wrought alloys have increased, In the presentation, the alloy requirements for processing of cast and wrought alloys will be discussed, The various processing routes and alloy compositions result in specific microstructures and properties which determine the potential use of these alloys, Today, the spectrum of available alloys covers standard alloys as well as alloys for use at elevated temperatures, The trend will be to further diversify the alloy compositions and to improve the alloy properties, Areas of concern still remain the wrought processing and the high temperature (creep) and corrosion properties of magnesium alloys, Examples of recent developments in these sectors will be given, The presentation will also provide an overview of the historical and current use of magnesium and an outlook on future applications.

Jan 1, 2006

By James H. Cobbs

The utilization of large diameter drilled holes for mine shafts seems to have had its beginning in Europe about 1850 (28) where the mining industries of Germany and The Netherlands first used drilled shafts. Recent shafts in softer formations of diameters as large as 25 feet and as deep as 1, 700 feet have been drilled in both The Netherlands and Germany. The first shaft drillers utilized cable tool or churn drilling techniques which limit both hole diameters and drilling speeds. Though some churn drilling of shafts is still performed, rotary drilling has been the dominant technique for many years.

Jan 1, 1973