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 Bureau of Mines Information Circular/1985 
 
 Mining Health and Safety In-House 
 and Contract Research 
 in Fiscal Year 1985 
 
 By Staff, Bureau of Mines 
 
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
 
 751 
 
ijAlAtt^d Sia-te.^ £>ur^<^tA o-f V\/\ineLs2? 
 
 Information Circular 9010 
 
 w 
 
 Mining Health and Safety In-House 
 and Contract Research 
 in Fiscal Year 1985 
 
 By Staff, Bureau of Mines 
 
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
 
 Donald Paul Model, Secretary 
 
 BUREAU OF MINES 
 Robert C. Morton, Director 
 
 mess^smmmmmm 
 

 ^Di 
 
 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data: 
 
 United States. Bureau of Mines. 
 
 Mining health and safety in-house and contract research in fiscal 
 year 1985. 
 
 (Information circular ; 9010) 
 
 Supt. of Docs, no.: I 28.27:9010. 
 
 1, Mine safety— Research— United States. 2. Miners— Diseases and 
 hygiene— Research— United States. I. Title. 11, Series: Information 
 circular (United States. Bureau of Mines) ; 9010. 
 
 TN295.U4 622s [622*. 8'0720731 84-600391 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 c Page 
 
 Abstract I 
 
 Introduction 1 
 
 Program outline 2 
 
 Part 1. — In-house research 2 
 
 Health 2 
 
 Respirable dust 2 
 
 Control of dust formation 2 
 
 Control of generated dust 3 
 
 >- Dust instrumentation and measurement 4 
 
 ^ Radiation hazards 4 
 
 Control of radiation hazards 4 
 
 Radiation instrumentation and measurement 4 
 
 Noise control 4 
 
 <;i^ Industrial hygiene (toxic substances) 5 
 
 ^--- Toxic gases and materials 5 
 
 '<: Diesel engine and alternative power sources 5 
 
 Ventilation 6 
 
 Safety 6 
 
 Fire and explosion prevention 6 
 
 Prevention and detection 6 
 
 Ignition control and suppression technology 6 
 
 Propagation and extinguishment 7 
 
 Methane control 7 
 
 Fundamental factors 8 
 
 Control during mining 8 
 
 Ground control 8 
 
 Mine design and development 8 
 
 Hazard detection and monitoring systems 10 
 
 Roof support systems 10 
 
 Safe support installation 12 
 
 Waste stability 12 
 
 Industrial-type hazards 13 
 
 Electrical 13 
 
 Illuminat ion 13 
 
 Mine communications and monitoring 14 
 
 Human factors 14 
 
 Mine equipment safety 15 
 
 y^ Haulage and materials handling 15 
 
 "^ Postdisaster 16 
 
 ' Survival 16 
 
 ^ Communications 16 
 
 » Rescue and mine recovery 16 
 
 -^ Explosives 16 
 
 Systems engineering 17 
 
 vO Systems analysis 17 
 
 "^ Test facilities 17 
 
 V Assistance with program management 18 
 
 ^^ 
 \ 
 
ii 
 
 CONTENTS — Continued 
 
 Page 
 
 Part 2. — Contract research , 
 
 Health 
 
 Respirable dust 
 
 Noise control 
 
 Industrial hygiene (toxic substances)..... 
 
 Ventilation 
 
 Safety , 
 
 Ground Control 
 
 Mine design and development 
 
 Hazard detection and monitoring systems, 
 Waste stability 
 
 18 
 
 18 
 
 18 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 
 19 
 
 19 
 
 19 
 
 19 
 
 19 
 
 19 
 
 
 UNIT OF MEASURE ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT 
 
 m 
 
 meter pet percent 
 
MINING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN-HOUSE AND CONTRACT RESEARCH 
 
 IN FISCAL YEAR 1985 
 
 By Staff, Bureau of Mines 
 
 ABSTRACT 
 
 This publication summarizes the research (in-house and contract proj- 
 ects) programmed by the Bureau of Mines for fiscal year 1985 (October 1, 
 1984-September 30, 1985) under its Health and Safety Technology Program. 
 The objective of these projects is to provide an ordered and sequenced 
 advance toward the Bureau's overall goal of providing the systems tech- 
 nology required to create a more healthful and safer working environment 
 for the Nation's mining and minerals processing workers. 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 The Bureau of Mines conducts a balanced, continuing in-house research 
 and development program to accelerate systematic improvements in health 
 and safety conditions in U.S. mines. Part 1 of this report outlines the 
 Bureau's present in-house effort to all interested parties; in particu- 
 lar, potential contractors can refer to it when submitting USP's (un- 
 solicited proposals) , thus avoiding proposing research that duplicates 
 work being performed by the Bureau. Part 2 outlines the Bureau's cur- 
 rent projected contract research needs. 
 
 Contracts for the Health and Safety Technology Program will be awarded 
 in strict accordance with Federal Procurement Regulations. Availability 
 of requests for proposals (RFP's) will be formally advertised in the 
 Commerce Business Daily. No additional information will be supplied on 
 these projects until after the RFP's are made available and then only in 
 strict accordance with prescribed procedures. This document is not in- 
 tended to solicit proposals from the contracting community. All USP's 
 whose content reflects the objective(s) of the proposed projects listed 
 herein will be returned without formal review. 
 
PROGRAM OUTLINE 
 
 The objective of the Health and Safety 
 Technology Program is to protect the 
 health and safety of mining and minerals 
 processing workers while ensuring that 
 newly developed technology incorporates 
 health and safety criteria. In achieving 
 this objective, four fundamental and com- 
 plementary requirements must be consid- 
 ered by the research program: 
 
 1« Contributing to the viability of a 
 basic industry. 
 
 2. Sustaining productivity, 
 
 3. Allowing for a return on capital 
 investment. 
 
 4. Providing material 
 the public. 
 
 and energy to 
 
 The Health and Safety Technology Pro- 
 gram is divided into 12 subprogram areas 
 as shown: 
 
 Health 
 
 Respirable Dust 
 Radiation Hazards 
 Noise Control 
 Industrial Hygiene 
 Ventilation 
 
 Safety 
 
 Fire and Explosion Prevention 
 
 Methane Control 
 
 Ground Control 
 
 Industrial-Type Hazards 
 
 Postdisaster 
 
 Explosives 
 
 Systems Engineering 
 
 Since mining and minerals processing 
 involve a highly integrated and inter- 
 related set of functions, the program has 
 been divided into a set of interrelated 
 subprograms, each with goals that will 
 provide systems technology solutions to 
 the problems within the framework, of 
 these fundamental requirements. 
 
 The objectives of these subprograms 
 are described in the following pages, 
 followed by the planned projects and 
 their corresponding descriptions. The 
 aggregate value of the planned in-house 
 projects is approximately $25.5 million, 
 and that of the anticipated contracts is 
 $1.8 million. 
 
 PART 1.— IN-HOUSE RESEARCH 
 
 HEALTH 
 
 Control of Dust Formation 
 
 Respirable Dust 
 
 Program Objectives : To investigate ba- 
 sic dust control technologies and con- 
 cepts aimed at both preventing the forma- 
 tion of respirable dust and controlling 
 the airborne dust generated during the 
 mining cycle. To provide new and im- 
 proved technology for measuring and con- 
 trolling airborne respirable dust at lev- 
 els that meet or are below standards set 
 by the Federal law for all mining and 
 mineral processing operations. 
 
 1. Define the Empirical Relationship 
 Between Cutting Parameters, Dust 
 Generation, and Cutting Forces 
 for Coal and Rock 
 
 Objective : To conduct basic studies 
 to determine the relationships between 
 forces, energy, primary dust generation, 
 and cutting parameters for coal type, 
 bit geometry, and bit usagQ,, and estab- 
 lish a generic mathematical model to 
 optimize cutting systems for minimum 
 dust generation. To install a prototype 
 
continuous miner cutting drum In a test 
 facility to evaluate a linear depth of 
 cut design. This Is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 2. Fundamentals of Dust Formation 
 and Entralnment 
 
 Objective ; To initiate laboratory 
 studies to define the basic parameters of 
 coal and quartz during breakage and how 
 the parameters affect the formation and 
 entralnment of airborne respirable dust. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 3. Study of Coal Dust Wettability 
 
 Objective : To determine the critical 
 performance parameters of surfactants for 
 coal wetting and define the characteris- 
 tics of a universal surfactant. To in- 
 vestigate the effects of coal surface 
 chemistry on wettability. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 4. Mine Inspection Data Analysis System 
 
 Objective ; To conduct a statistical 
 analysis of available dust exposure data 
 and complete the development of the ex- 
 posure index that will aid the Mine Safe- 
 ty and Health Administration (MSHA) in 
 determining its future Inspection and 
 sampling strategy. To expand this analy- 
 sis to Involve other airborne contami- 
 nants. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 Control of Generated Dust 
 
 5. Determination of the Extrinsic 
 Parameters Governing the Quartz 
 Exposure of Coal Mine Workers 
 
 Objective ; To identify the specific 
 dust sources in both underground and sur- 
 face operations to direct control tech- 
 nology concepts. Emphasis is on sources 
 that generate more than 5 pet quartz in 
 the mine atmosphere. To determine if op- 
 erations are expected to operate under 
 more stringent standards due to silica 
 dust for the life of the operation or 
 whether this condition will vary. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 6. Behavior and Transport of Silica Dust 
 in Room and Pillar Mining Operations 
 
 Objective : To study the ventilation 
 patterns and airflow characteristics at 
 room and pillar operations and determine 
 their effect on the behavior and trans- 
 port of silica dust. To identify speci- 
 fic areas where silica dust behaves dif- 
 ferently from coal dust and determine how 
 dust control practices need to be modi- 
 fied to compensate for these differences. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 7. Investigation of Quartz Dust 
 Generation During the Removal 
 
 of Overburden Material at Surface 
 Coal Mines 
 
 Objective ; To identify and quantify 
 silica dust sources at surface coal oper- 
 ations with special emphasis on sources 
 governing the dust exposure of hlghwall 
 drill operations. This is a continuation 
 of an ongoing project. 
 
 8. Identification and Study of the 
 Elemental Sources and Behavior 
 of Respirable Dust as It Relates 
 to Longwall Dust Control 
 
 Objective; To identify and character- 
 ize the sources and behavior of respira- 
 ble dust in longwall mining operations 
 and to evaluate dust control concepts. 
 Quantify the effectiveness of longwall 
 dust control measures including dust 
 suppression techniques , as well as ad- 
 ministrative procedures as they affect 
 the dust exposure of the face workers. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 9. Define and Characterize Sources 
 of Mill Dust and Its Control 
 
 Objective : To conduct studies to iden- 
 tify and control dust sources and genera- 
 tion In mineral processing plants and 
 mills. Complete the evaluation of the 
 new concept vacuum nozzle fill method for 
 packaging mineral ores with high silica 
 content. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
Dust Instrumentation and Measurement 
 
 10. Study of Resplrable Dust Monitoring 
 Strategies and Evaluation of Dust 
 Measurement Concepts 
 
 Objective : To evaluate the perform- 
 ance of real-time, continuous reading 
 dust monitors for research and for en- 
 forcement use. Instruments include the 
 Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance 
 and light-scattering optical instruments. 
 Continue development of a monitoring 
 strategy for controlling resplrable coal 
 mine dust that uses real-time monitoring 
 instruments. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 1 i. Determination of Silica Particle 
 Size Distribution in Resplrable 
 Mine Dust Samples 
 
 Objective ; To determine the size dis- 
 tribution of mineral particulates col- 
 lected from underground coal mines by 
 scanning electron microscope (SEM) image 
 analysis with special emphasis on size of 
 silica particulates as related to the 
 various coal seams. To initiate similar 
 analysis of hardrock mining operations. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 Radiation Hazards 
 
 Program Objective ; To advance the 
 state of measurement and control technol- 
 ogy for protection of miners from expo- 
 sure to radon and radon daughters and 
 other nuclear radiation hazards in ura- 
 nium and other mines. 
 
 Control of Radiation Hazards 
 
 1 . Radon Control Technology 
 
 Objective ; To define and investigate 
 the parameters that influence the release 
 of radon from radium-bearing ores, and 
 develop a computer model of the release 
 of radon into the mine atmosphere consid- 
 ering ventilation pressures, mining ac- 
 tivities, and inactive mines. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Radiation Instrumentation 
 and Measurement 
 
 2. Personal Exposure Measurement 
 Technology 
 
 Objective ; To complete the use of pas- 
 sive alpha detectors for radon measure- 
 ments and study methods for measuring 
 long-lived alpha emitters. To determine 
 physical characteristics of radon daugh- 
 ters in mine atmospheres. To continue 
 to evaluate the accuracy and reliability 
 of emerging radiation measurement tech- 
 nology. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 Noise Control 
 
 Program Objectives: To reduce mine 
 worker overexposure to noise by conduct- 
 ing research in noise source identifica- 
 tion, noise control technology, and hear- 
 ing protector research. 
 
 1. Hearing Protector Research 
 
 Objective; To determine the actual 
 protection provided by hearing protectors 
 under working conditions in the mining 
 environment. To complete the development 
 of a two-microphone attenuation measure- 
 ment method that can be used in under- 
 ground mines. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 2. Noise Control of LHD Vehicles 
 
 Objective: To devise and evaluate 
 cost-effective retrofit and factory- 
 integrated noise controls for underground 
 diesel-powered load-haul-dump (LHD) vehi- 
 cles. This is a continuation of an ongo- 
 ing project. 
 
 3. Chain Conveyor and Gear Research 
 
 Objective: To conduct basic studies 
 into noise generating mechanisms of chain 
 conveyors and mining equipment gear 
 trains which have been identified as 
 significant noise sources. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
Investigations of Percussive Drill 
 Noise Control 
 
 2. Monitoring and Measurement 
 of Contaminant Gases 
 
 Objectives: To conduct studies into 
 the noise generation mechanisms of drill 
 steel and study new engineering design 
 concepts to reduce the noise of percus- 
 sion drills. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 5. Noise Abatement Profile 
 
 Objectives ; To establish a computer 
 data noise abatement profile that will 
 assess worker overexposure to noise and 
 evaluate cost benefit studies. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Industrial Hygiene (Toxic Substances) 
 
 Program Objectives : To identify and con- 
 trol health hazards in surface and under- 
 ground mines and mineral processing 
 plants caused by toxic gases and fumes, 
 and certain particulates produced by 
 explosives, combustible materials, and 
 diesel engines. To develop and evaluate 
 new instrumentation for monitoring these 
 substances. To develop and/or refine an- 
 alytical techniques for measuring and 
 characterizing toxic substances, and in- 
 vestigate methods for controlling the 
 formation and accumulation of toxic prod- 
 ucts. To analyze alternative power 
 sources that may have health advantages 
 over existing mine diesels. 
 
 Toxic Gases and Materials 
 
 Objective: To devise and evaluate 
 methods and devices that can be used ef- 
 fectively and efficiently by the mining 
 industry to evaluate, maintain, and im- 
 prove the working environment in under- 
 ground mines. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 3. Cyanide Hazard in the Mining 
 Industry 
 
 Objective: To identify cyanide hazards 
 associated with the use of cyanide solu- 
 tions in leaching gold and silver ores 
 and as a depressant in the benefication 
 of sulfide ores. Determine chemical or 
 physical means of reducing the identified 
 hazards. This is a new project. 
 
 4. Measurement and Control 
 of Welding Fumes 
 
 Objective: To assess related industry 
 practices pertaining to measurement and 
 control of welding and cutting fumes, 
 dust, and radiation, and adapt this tech- 
 nology to confined work areas found in 
 the mining environment. To determine the 
 quantity and character of welding pol- 
 lutants and personnel exposure levels. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 Diesel Engine and Alternative 
 Power Sources 
 
 1 . Toxic Fumes From Explosives and 
 Other Materials Used in Mining 
 
 5. Research To Control Diesel Engine 
 Exhaust Emissions 
 
 Objective : To determine the identity 
 and quantity of fixed gases, chemical 
 vapors, and residues produced by the 
 detonation of explosives and by the ther- 
 mal oxidative degradation and combustion 
 of materials used in underground mining 
 operations. To determine the effect of 
 low-order reaction due to marginal pri- 
 mary, deteriorated explosives, or to 
 improper delay intervals in the produc- 
 tion of toxic fumes during blasting. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 Objective: To complete instrumenta- 
 tion of the diesel test cell to perform 
 state-of-the-art research on measurement 
 and control of gaseous and particulate 
 emissions from diesel engines. To de- 
 termine the efficiency of ceramic, wall- 
 flow particulate filters and assess 
 products of combustion of commonly used 
 fuel additives used by the industry. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
Ventilation 
 
 Program Objectives: To design venti- 
 lation systems required to maintain a 
 safe and healthful atmosphere conducive 
 to efficient work output in noncoal 
 mines . 
 
 1. Improving Ventilation in Noncoal 
 Min es and Mills 
 
 Objectives: To investigate the aero- 
 dynamics of face ventilation systems in 
 large opening mines, to document a ther- 
 mal energy recovery system for reducing 
 mine refrigeration and energy needs of 
 hot mines, and to investigate improved 
 mine stopping construction techniques, 
 especially in large-opening mines. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 SAFETY 
 
 Fire and Explosion Prevention 
 
 Program Objectives : To reduce the po- 
 tential for a fire or explosion in min- 
 eral extraction and processing opera- 
 tions, to minimize the danger to people 
 on account of fires or explosions that do 
 occur, and to diminish the vulnerability 
 to such attendant hazards as high temper- 
 ature, asphyxiating and toxic fumes, and 
 explosive gas mixtures. 
 
 Prevention and Detection 
 
 1. Investigation of Fundamental 
 Approaches to Fire Warning in 
 Underground Mines Including 
 Stench Gas, CO Indicators, 
 and Human Response 
 
 Objective : To reduce fire warning time 
 for deep underground metal mines and 
 ensure appropriate response by miners to 
 warning signals. This is a continuation 
 of an ongoing project. 
 
 2. Hazard Detection and Instrumentation 
 
 Objective : To identify, evaluate, and 
 improve upon promising fire sensors and 
 fire-sensing systems for use in un- 
 derground mines. To develop prototype 
 
 systems capable of (1) remote measurement 
 of methane and other flammable gases and 
 (2) low-level smoke sensing. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 3. Implementation of Coal Dust-Rock 
 Dust Regulations 
 
 Objective ; To provide improved instru- 
 mentation to enable MSHA to more readily 
 determine compliance with current rock 
 dust regulations. To field test the 
 Bureau prototype reflective rock dust 
 meter in several operating coal mines. 
 To maintain awareness of non-rock -dust 
 alternatives for explosion prevention. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 4. Fires in Mine Passageways 
 
 Objective: To provide data on mine 
 fire parameters, such as fire growth 
 rate, ignition source intensity, fire 
 size, and yields of toxic combustion 
 products that can lead to improved and 
 realistic fire detection and a more rea- 
 listic planning of fire emergency pro- 
 cedures. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 5. Characterizing the Effect of the 
 Mining Environment on Underground 
 Metal Mine Fire Detection 
 
 Objective: To perform highly complex 
 analyses of fire growth and containment 
 spread using real-time inputs from in- 
 mine detection instruments. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Ignition Control and 
 Suppression Technology 
 
 6. Feasibility and Ignitability Testing 
 of Mineral Dusts, Gases, and Vapors 
 
 Objective : To develop and promulgate 
 new and more reliable explosivity and 
 ignitability indices for use in classify- 
 ing dusts according to their hazard 
 potential. Continue thermal and spark- 
 ignitability studies in a new and larger 
 furnace to permit more accurate control 
 over the environments simulated as a 
 
representation of those encountered 
 in mine. To delineate the domain of 
 flammability for mixtures of coal dust- 
 rock, dust-methane in air. To find new, 
 cost-effective supplements or substitutes 
 for rock dust. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 7. Fire Hazards of Mine Combustibles 
 
 Objectives : To evaluate flame spread 
 rates of mine materials under sloping 
 conditions. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 8. Pacification of Sulfide Oxidation 
 
 Objective : To determine the kinetics 
 and mechanisms of low-temperature oxida- 
 tion of sulfides, particularly pyrrhotite 
 and zinc, so as to identify the rate- 
 controlling step(s). To apply the result 
 of this study to identify chemical and 
 physical inhibitors and validate, first 
 in large-scale laboratory tests and ulti- 
 mately in mines, the ability of these 
 inhibitors to prevent or retard sulfide 
 oxidation and thereby reduce the proba- 
 bility of mine fires and resultant loss 
 of property and life. This is a continu- 
 ation of an ongoing effort. 
 
 9. Spontaneous Combustion Research 
 
 11. 
 
 Propagation and Extinguishment 
 
 Fire and Explosion Hazards of Oil 
 Shale Mining and Oil Mining 
 
 Objective ; To provide guidelines for 
 fire and explosion prevention during 
 all phases of oil shale mining and pro- 
 cessing. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 12. Full-Scale Mine Explosion Research 
 
 Objective ; To study the ignition, 
 propagation and suppression of full-scale 
 explosions of coal dust, oil shale dust, 
 and gas in the Bruceton and Lake Lynn 
 Experimental Mines; and to improve and 
 maintain the instrumentation in both 
 facilities. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 13. Prevention and Suppression 
 of Ignitions and Explosions 
 
 Objective ; To develop, test, and con- 
 duct field trials of (1) new tool bit 
 geometries for the prevention of face 
 ignitions, (2) barriers for the suppres- 
 sion of gas and coal dust explosions, and 
 (3) two prototype wet head continuous 
 miners. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 Objective : To study the self-heating 
 of materials under realistic conditions 
 in order to provide criteria for predic- 
 tion and prevention of spontaneous com- 
 bustion occurrences. This is a continua- 
 tion of an ongoing project. 
 
 10. Microscopic Structure and 
 Composition of Combustible 
 Dusts and Residues 
 
 Objective ; To conduct quantitative mi- 
 croscopic structure studies, size distri- 
 butions, and composition analyses of var- 
 ious dusts after laser pyrolysis exposure 
 with the scanning electron microscope or 
 electron microscope, and to apply the 
 data obtained to combustion research and 
 the forensic science of postdisaster in- 
 vestigation. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 14. Mine Fire Diagnostics 
 
 Objective ; To develop needed guide- 
 lines for safe reopening of a mine fol- 
 lowing sealing of a coal mine fire, to 
 evaluate mine fire detection and suppres- 
 sion systems , and to evaluate full-scale 
 fires involving other mine combustibles 
 such as mine dusts, brattice curtains, 
 and conveyor belts. This is a continua- 
 tion of an ongoing project. 
 
 Methane Control 
 
 Program Objective : To develop the 
 technology that will enhance the ability 
 of the mining industry to more effective- 
 ly control methane in underground coal 
 mines. The technology involved ranges 
 from determining the fundamental factors 
 influencing the occurrence of methane 
 
to the development of techniques to con- 
 trol methane in advance of and during 
 mining. 
 
 Fundamental Factors 
 
 1. 
 
 Fundamental Factors Affecting 
 Methane in Coal and Associated 
 Strata 
 
 Objective : To determine the Influences 
 of geology on the occurrence and emission 
 of methane. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 2. Understanding the Mechanisms of Gas 
 Outbursts in Coal 
 
 Objective ; To assess the potential for 
 and the minimizing of gas outburst 
 hazards in coal mines. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing effort. 
 
 3. The Geology of Methane in Metal 
 and Nonmetal Mines 
 
 7. Development of Methane Control 
 Strategies in Metal and Nonmetal 
 Mines 
 
 Objective: To develop and evaluate 
 specific methane control strategies for 
 metal and nonmetal mines. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 8. Ventilation for Methane Control 
 
 Objective : To conduct research on im- 
 proved ventilation techniques for methane 
 control in coal mines. This is a contin- 
 uation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Ground Control 
 
 Program Objectives : To develop tech- 
 nology that can be applied by the mining 
 industry to reduce accidents due to the 
 failure of underground mine roof, face, 
 and ribs, and the collapse of surface 
 mine and waste embankment slopes. 
 
 Objective: To determine the influence 
 of geology on the occurrence and emission 
 of methane in metal and nonmetal mines. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 Control During Mining 
 
 4. Protection of Methane Drainage 
 Systems 
 
 Objective : To investigate improved 
 techniques for protecting methane drain- 
 age systems. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 5. Methane Drainage for Low 
 Permeability Coalbeds 
 
 Objective : To influence horizontal 
 drilling and completion technology for 
 use in low-permeability coalbeds. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 6. Longwall Gob Gas Control Using 
 Cross Measure Boreholes 
 
 Objective ; To evaluate new techniques 
 for gob degasif ication. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Mine Design and Development 
 
 1. Engineering Data Base for Coal Mine 
 Ground Control Planning 
 
 Objective; To develop and establish a 
 centralized geological and engineering 
 data base for coal mine ground control 
 planning and design. This is a continua- 
 tion of an ongoing project. 
 
 2. Structural Analysis and Design 
 for Longwall Mining 
 
 Objective: To apply numerical modeling 
 techniques to identify optimum entry con- 
 figurations, pillar designs, and single- 
 entry development for longwall mining of 
 steep coal seams and multiple seams. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 3. Field Investigation of Coal Mine 
 Pillar Design 
 
 Objective : To identify major problems 
 related to current designs of chain 
 pillars and barrier pillars, and vali- 
 date the design concepts using field 
 
instrumentation data and regressive in- 
 tegrity factor analysis. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 4. Geophysical Validation of Coal Mine 
 Pillar Integrity 
 
 Objective : To complete evaluation of 
 geophysical methods for determination of 
 the extent of and characteristics of 
 yielded zones in coal mine pillars. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 5. Evaluate Borehole Instruments for 
 Rock Mechanics Investigations 
 
 Objective: To complete field and lab- 
 oratory evaluation of the borehole shear 
 tester, the improved borehole pressure 
 cell, the two-component physical property 
 gage, and the soft borehole deformation 
 gage. This is a continuation of an on- 
 going project. 
 
 6. Roof and Pillar Stability at Coal 
 Mine Intersections 
 
 Objective : To analyze stresses and 
 deformations in the roof and ribs at 
 entry intersections of coal mines using 
 numerical modeling techniques, and verify 
 the results with field measurement of 
 convergence and stresses. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 7. Stress Technology for Improved 
 Mine Design 
 
 Objective : To complete field evalua- 
 tion of the effect of in situ stress 
 fields on ground control problems and the 
 potential of stress technology in improv- 
 ing mine structural design. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 8. Application of Geodynamic 
 Accumulated Strain Sensor 
 to In Situ Rock Stresses 
 Measurement 
 
 Objective : To develop acoustic trans- 
 ducers for in situ rock stress measure- 
 ment based on pulsed-phase-locked-loop 
 
 technology and demonstrate their appli- 
 cation. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 9. Geologic Studies for Coal Mine 
 Ground Control 
 
 Objective : To classify hazardous geo- 
 logic features of coal mine roof and 
 identify suitable roof support tech- 
 niques. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 10. Fundamental Studies of Mountain 
 Bumps in Eastern Coalfields 
 
 Objective : To investigate geologic 
 parameters and mining practices relative 
 to mountain bump phenomena in eastern 
 coalfields. This is a new project. 
 
 11. Model Studies and Field 
 Verification of Roof Bolting 
 Criteria 
 
 Objective : To develop design guide- 
 lines for mine roof reinforcement using 
 various types of roof bolts by collating 
 the results of full-scale model testing, 
 finite-element computer analysis, and in- 
 mine tests. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 12. Ground Control Planning 
 for Deep Vein Mines 
 
 Objective : To develop a stability 
 forecasting method using advanced numeri- 
 cal modeling techniques for ground con- 
 trol planning in deep-vein mining. This 
 is a new project. 
 
 13. Mechanics and Control of Time- 
 Dependent Deformation Around 
 Deep-Vein Mine Openings 
 
 Objective : To investigate the mechan- 
 ics of time-dependent rock deformation in 
 deep vein mines, complete field evalua- 
 tion of the improved seismic rock burst 
 monitoring system with fiber optic data 
 transmission, and develop ground control 
 design criteria to prevent catastrophic 
 
10 
 
 rock failure. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 14. Engineering Properties of Coal 
 Measure Rocks 
 
 Objective: To complete documentation 
 and publication of laboratory test re- 
 sults on engineering properties of coal 
 measure rocks. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 Hazard Detection and 
 Monitoring Systems 
 
 15. Coal Mine Bounce 
 
 and Outburst Studies 
 
 Objective : To assess the reliabil- 
 ity of low-frequency and high-frequency 
 microseismic monitoring techniques to 
 delineate areas of eventual coal bounce 
 and outburst failure. A capability for 
 automatic, real-time microseismic moni- 
 toring in underground coal mines shall be 
 achieved. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 16. Three-Dimensional Remote-Sensing 
 Data Analysis for Mine Hazard 
 Prediction 
 
 Objective : To investigate a composite 
 methodology to construct three-dimension- 
 al mine hazard maps by combining satel- 
 lite imagery data, aerial photographs, 
 geologic and geophysical information, and 
 digital terrain mapping. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 17. In-Seam Hazard Detection Using 
 Geophysical Techniques 
 
 Objective : To evaluate the reliability 
 and accuracy of high-resolution guided 
 wave seismic and radar technologies and 
 the ultrasonic face scanner in detecting 
 and locating hazardous geologic features 
 and mine voids within a coal seam. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 18. Acoustic Cross-Borehole Hazard 
 Detection Systems 
 
 Objective: To complete assembly of the 
 low-frequency, acoustic cross-borehole 
 hazard detection system, install the in- 
 strumentation in a field logging vehicle, 
 and conduct performance tests. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 19. Prediction and Control of Rock 
 Bursts and Failures in Mines 
 
 Objective ; To continue collection of 
 microseismic and electromagnetic radia- 
 tion data at the Galena Mine and estab- 
 lish the conceptual viability of using 
 electromagnetic radiation measurement to 
 improve failure prediction capability. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 20. Critical Parameters Controlling 
 Roof Stability 
 
 Objective : To investigate roof-to- 
 floor closure rate criteria for roof fall 
 prediction using potentiometric and ul- 
 trasonic closure rate devices. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Roof Support Systems 
 
 21. Arch Canopy Research 
 
 Objective : To determine the dynamic 
 response of arch canopies, their struc- 
 tural components, and tunnel liner fill 
 systems to impact loading. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 22. Fundamental Drill and Bolt Param- 
 eters Affecting Roof Integrity 
 
 Objective : To determine if roof bolts 
 can be installed with uniform tension in 
 widely varying roof conditions and deter- 
 mine roof stability that results. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
11 
 
 23. Ground Control System Safety 
 Analysis 
 
 Objective: To examine ground control 
 accident reports to determine trends and 
 to suggest needed Bureau research. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 24. Inorganic Cementing Materials 
 
 Objective: To complete the development 
 of chemical binders and methods of appli- 
 cation to mine roofs to increase the mine 
 roof stability, with special attention to 
 potential inorganic binders. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 25. Investigation of Factors Associated 
 With Cutter (Shear) Roof 
 
 Objective ; To perform engineering and 
 geologic studies to determine causes of 
 cutter roof. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 26. Support of Thick Coal Roofs in 
 Western Mines 
 
 Objective ; To determine optimum sup- 
 port devices for safe, effective support 
 of underground mine roofs composed of 
 thick top coal. This is a continuation 
 of an ongoing project. 
 
 27. Support for Large Underground 
 Openings 
 
 Objective : To formulate, develop, and 
 test concepts for ground support systems 
 to stabilize large underground openings 
 in thick-seam coal. This is a continua- 
 tion of an ongoing project. 
 
 28. Passive Roof Supports To Control 
 Ground 
 
 Objective : To develop fundamental data 
 on the function of passive, artificial 
 yielding roof supports used during 
 
 mining. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 29. Corrosion of Metallic Roof Support 
 Elements 
 
 Objective : To develop guidelines to 
 aid MSHA and mining personnel in predict- 
 ing the life of roof support systems, 
 determine detrimental effects of corro- 
 sive mine environments on metallic roof 
 supports , and help identify potential 
 control measures. This is a continuation 
 of an ongoing project. 
 
 30. 
 
 Nontensioned Rock Reinforcement 
 
 Objective : To develop nontensioned, 
 full-column inorganic grouted rock bolts 
 for use in metal and nonmetal mines; com- 
 plete testing of a scaler for use in 
 metal and nonmetal mines. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 31. Minimum Column Lengths for Resin- 
 Grouted Bolts in Evaporites 
 
 Objective : To complete the determi- 
 nation of the minimum column lengths re- 
 quired to ensure safe working conditions 
 when rock conditions are such that some 
 grout is forced out into the rock mass. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 32. Flexible Distributed-Load Support 
 System 
 
 Objective : To define the interactive 
 mechanics of flexible distributed-load 
 supports; to determine the critical pa- 
 rameters that control the selection of 
 backpacking materials; and to establish 
 and verify a theory for flexible dis- 
 tributed-load support that will lead to 
 effective design and implementation of 
 the systems. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
12 
 
 33. Roof Bolt Effectiveness Monitoring 
 Using High-Frequency Mlcroseismic 
 System 
 
 Objective : To evaluate data analysis 
 techniques of self-generated rock noise 
 (ultrasonic frequency range) as related 
 to dynamic structural response in under- 
 ground mines. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 Safe Support Installation 
 
 38. Longwall Mining Inv estigations 
 
 Objective: To develop data on support 
 loadings and strata activity associated 
 with the development of longwall gateroad 
 entries and subsequent mining of longwall 
 panels; to evaluate materials for strata 
 stabilization and void fillings. This is 
 a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 39. Systems Interaction for Support 
 Installation 
 
 34. Support-Rock Interaction Mechanics 
 for Full-Column Bolting 
 
 Objective: To develop fundamental 
 knowledge and understanding of the behav- 
 ior of full-column bolting in underground 
 mines, especially using nonstandard 
 grouts and bolts. This is a continuation 
 of an ongoing project. 
 
 35. Destressing of Coal Mine Bounces, 
 Coal Bursts, and Gas Outbursts in 
 Deep Western Mines 
 
 Objective ; To integrate field measure- 
 ments and observations with numerical 
 analysis and laboratory studies to gain a 
 better fundamental understanding of why a 
 bounce, burst, or outburst occurs and how 
 to eliminate or reduce them in coal mine 
 entries and longwall faces. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 36. Theory and Mechanics of Roof Truss 
 Behavior 
 
 Objective : To develop basic data on 
 the support characteristics of roof 
 trusses, and to evaluate concepts to pro- 
 vide faster and safer installation of 
 trusses. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 37. Effects of Bolt Installation 
 Procedure on Mine Roof Stability 
 
 Objective : To determine bolting pro- 
 cedures that enhance or degrade roof 
 stability. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 Objective : To evaluate support instal- 
 lation concepts that remove the miner 
 from immediate danger when placing bolts. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 40. Retreat Mining Geomechanics 
 
 Objective : To determine the mechanisms 
 of roof collapse during retreat mining 
 and establish guidelines to improve the 
 safety of retreat mining. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing effort. 
 
 41. Roof Bolt Torque and Load Research 
 
 Objective : To complete the development 
 of a system of direct, in situ measure- 
 ment of roof bolt tension. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Waste Stability 
 
 42. Generic Modeling of Waste 
 Embankments and Backfilled 
 Structures 
 
 Objective : To design and validate ge- 
 neric models via numerical model analysis 
 and centrifuge testing for the evaluation 
 of surface waste embankments and under- 
 ground backfilled structures. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 43. Surface Disposal of Mine Waste 
 and Mill Tailings 
 
 Objective : To investigate methods of 
 slurried waste deposition that will 
 place higher strength materials close to 
 
13 
 
 the embankment , and concepts for f loc- 
 culation of fine coal waste that elimi- 
 nate or reduce the need for slurry im- 
 poundments. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 44. Stabilizing Oil Shale Waste 
 
 Objective : To determine the stability 
 characteristics of oil shale retort 
 wastes for surface and underground dis- 
 posal. This is a new project. 
 
 2. Permissible Equipment 
 
 Objective : To evaluate the use of 
 stainless steel foams as a vent material 
 on explosion-proof enclosures , and pro- 
 vide acceptance and test criteria for 
 high-voltage permissible load centers. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 3. Grounding and Ground Fault 
 Protection 
 
 45. Inundation Bulkhead Construction 
 
 Using Sludge from Underground Acid 
 Mine Drainage Treatment 
 
 Objective: To develop an effective and 
 economical method to construct mine in- 
 undation bulkheads using dewatered 
 limestone sludge from underground acid 
 mine drainage treatment. This is a new 
 project. 
 
 Industrial-Type Hazards 
 
 Program Objectives : To (1) determine 
 how the quality of training can be in- 
 creased to ensure miners can do their 
 tasks safely and productively, (2) define 
 the role of the human in all aspects of 
 tasks required during the mining cycle, 
 (3) determine how the human can be pro- 
 tected from the hazards of mining, (4) 
 determine what information must be avail- 
 able to the miner and at what level to 
 increase safety, and (5) determine what 
 information must be available to reflect 
 the human requirements in equipment de- 
 signed for mining. 
 
 Electrical 
 
 1. Intrinsic Safety 
 
 Objective : To improve existing sen- 
 sitive ground fault interruptors or de- 
 velop new units for use in U.S. under- 
 ground mines, and to test those units for 
 durability and shock prevention and es- 
 tablish applicable standards for future 
 use. This is a continuation of an on- 
 going project. 
 
 4. Electrical Equipment, Devices 
 and Systems 
 
 Objective: To investigate general pow- 
 er system problems that have the poten- 
 tial for causing mine fires, methane ex- 
 plosions, and exposure of mine personnel 
 to electrical hazards, and to develop 
 technology to improve the reliability and 
 maintainability of mine power. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 5. Inherently Safe Electrode Reactions 
 for Use in Electrokinetic Dewatering 
 
 Objective : To complete the investi- 
 gation on cathode reactions that will be 
 inherently safe and can substitute for 
 the hydrogen-generating reduction of 
 water in the electrokinetic process of 
 dewatering mine tailings. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Objective : To investigate problems re- 
 lated to the basic understanding of in- 
 trinsic safety, supply technical support 
 to Bureau of Mines researchers , contrac- 
 tors , and MSHA, and participate in 
 national and international committees to 
 develop safety factors associated with 
 using electrical equipment in potentially 
 explosive atmospheres. This is a contin- 
 uation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Illumination 
 
 6. Investigation of Minimal Luminance 
 Requirements for the Mining Industry 
 
 Objective: To collect and analyze data 
 from surface and underground mines that 
 can be used to evaluate and recommend 
 minimal luminance levels for the indus- 
 try. This is a continuation of an on- 
 going project. 
 
14 
 
 Fundamental Research on Potential 
 Use of Large Diameter Fiber Optics 
 for Area Illumination 
 
 for the improved management of coal 
 mines. This is a continuation of an on- 
 going project. 
 
 Objective : To evaluate the potential 
 use of fiber optic illumination systems 
 in underground mines with emphasis on 
 glare reduction, safety, reliability, 
 maintenance, and economics. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Mine Communications and Monitoring 
 
 8. Mine Telemetry and Environmental 
 Surveillance Systems 
 
 Objective ; To collect basic in-mine 
 data on environmental mine monitoring 
 systems. The data will be used for eval- 
 uation of system reliability, sensor and 
 transducer performance, and data secur- 
 ity. This is a continuation of an on- 
 going project. 
 
 9. Performance Standards and Systems 
 Approach to Mine Monitoring 
 
 12. Human Factors of Manual Materials 
 Handling in the Coal Mining Industry 
 
 Obj ective : To identify and define the 
 hazards of manual materials handling in 
 the coal mining industry, and to develop 
 manual materials handling guidelines spe- 
 cific to the needs of the coal mining 
 industry. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 13. Computer Modeling of Mining 
 Crew Stations 
 
 Objective ; To determine the demands 
 placed on mobile equipment operators 
 while operating underground coal mining 
 machinery and to incorporate the results 
 into the ongoing work on developing a 
 computer model of operator compartments. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 Objective ; To develop and evaluate 
 criteria for an intrinsically safe mine 
 monitoring system. The research will 
 concentrate on a systems approach, relia- 
 bility, sensors, and data security. The 
 system provides adequate safety protec- 
 tion that is cost effective. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 10. Electromagnetic Signal Propagation 
 in Underground Mines 
 
 Objective ; To investigate techniques 
 to permit whole-mine telemetry applicable 
 to environmental monitoring, operational 
 data transfer, and other communications. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 Human Factors 
 
 1 1. The Investigation of Improved 
 Management Practices for the 
 Mining Industr y 
 
 Objective ; To ascertain the relation- 
 ship of current management practices to 
 miners' safety, productivity, and turn- 
 over rates; and on the basis of the find- 
 ings from this work, recommend approaches 
 
 14. Reduction of Human Error Accidents 
 in Underground Mining 
 
 Objective ; To reduce mining accidents 
 and injuries associated with "human er- 
 ror," and to improve productivity related 
 to human performance. This is a continu- 
 ation of an ongoing project. 
 
 15. Research To Enhance the Conduct of 
 New Hire, Refresher, and New Task 
 Training 
 
 Objective ; To enhance the efficiency 
 and effectiveness of mine training 
 through the systematic investigation, 
 study, and development of performance 
 criteria and competency-based training 
 methods. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 16. Field Evaluation of Prototype 
 Training Equipment 
 
 Objective ; To evaluate previously de- 
 veloped training equipment for continu- 
 ous miners and underground and surface 
 haulage vehicles. This is a continuation 
 of an ongoing project. 
 
15 
 
 17. Fundamental Factors of Operator 
 Alertness To Enhance Surface 
 Mining Safety 
 
 21. The Fundamentals of Electromechan- 
 ical Technology for Large Mobile 
 Surface Mine Equipment Au t oma t i on 
 
 Objective : To determine human behav- 
 ioral aspects of the man-machine-work- 
 place interface that contribute to unsafe 
 behavior in surface mining, develop prac- 
 tical techniques that can correct these 
 problems, and test such techniques under 
 controlled conditions that simulate the 
 mining environment. This is a continua- 
 tion of an ongoing project. 
 
 Objective ; To complete research on 
 operator protection systems and collision 
 avoidance systems for large surface min- 
 ing equipment. Investigate the potential 
 for using automation in surface mine 
 safety. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 Haulage and Materials Handling 
 
 18. Blasters Training for Metal- 
 Nonmetal Miners 
 
 22. Evaluation of Conveyor Belt 
 Cleaners 
 
 Objective : To prepare recommendations 
 for the development of materials that 
 would be used for classroom and on- 
 the-job training of blasters in metal and 
 nonmetal mines. This is a continuation 
 of an ongoing project. 
 
 Objective : To determine an optimum 
 solution to the problem of carryback on 
 conveyor belts, thus reducing worker ex- 
 posure and potential danger from moving 
 belts. This is a continuation of an on- 
 going project. 
 
 Mine Equipment Safety 
 
 23. Hoisting Systems Research 
 
 19. Application of Robotics to 
 Underground Mining 
 
 Objective : To conduct an intensive, 
 systematic study directed toward greater 
 knowledge and understanding of robotics 
 to determine the potential for the devel- 
 opment of mining systems that will rely 
 primarily on robotics technology to in- 
 crease safety. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 20. Equipment Technology for Reduced 
 Accidents 
 
 Objective : To explore the application 
 of innovative technology to Improve 
 health, safety, and productivity in min- 
 ing. Areas addressed by the program are 
 ground fall protection for operators of 
 thin-seam face equipment, braking systems 
 on mobile face equipment, and accidents 
 analysis. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing effort. 
 
 Objective : To increase the safety and 
 efficiency of hoisting operations by (1) 
 quantifying the effects of degradation 
 upon the structural integrity of hoist 
 rope and (2) studying the relationship 
 between material deformation and energy 
 dissipation for utilization in hoist 
 arrestments. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 24. Haulage and Materials Handling 
 Accident Reduction 
 
 Objective: To isolate the causes of 
 powered haulage and materials handling 
 accidents and to develop concepts and 
 guidelines for equipment design that will 
 reduce the injuries resulting from these 
 operations in underground coal mines. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
16 
 
 25. Wire Rope Inspection, Retirement, 
 Selection, and Use 
 
 Objective: To investigate present 
 methods and, where appropriate, derive 
 better methods for inspection, use, and 
 selection of underground mine hoist-rope 
 and associated equipment, and to prepare 
 new hoist-rope retirement (replacement) 
 criteria. Existing inadequate retirement 
 criteria will be replaced by improved 
 criteria that will increase the reliabil- 
 ity and safety of man and/or material 
 hoisting operations. This is a continua- 
 tion of an ongoing project. 
 
 26. 
 
 Laboratory Analysis of Wire Rope 
 
 Objective : To define and control the 
 microstructure of wrought, pearlitic 
 steel, wire hoist ropes to extend fatigue 
 life, and to perform metallurgical analy- 
 ses such as chemical composition and mi- 
 crostructure determinations to support 
 the needs of the entire Wire Rope Program 
 at the Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh, Spo- 
 kane, and Albany Research Centers. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project, 
 
 Postdisaster 
 
 Program Objectives : To develop the 
 technology that will enhance the chances 
 of miners to escape, survive, and/or be 
 rescued following a mine fire, explosion, 
 or outburst of gas. This involves per- 
 sonal protection equipment for miners and 
 rescue teams, preplanned rescue and sur- 
 vival systems, and devices to detect, 
 locate, and communicate with trapped 
 miners. 
 
 Communications 
 
 2. Systems and Strategies for Post- 
 disaster Location and Rescue 
 
 Objective : To develop rescue strate- 
 gies based upon in-mine medium frequency 
 (MF) radio propagation. This is a con- 
 tinuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Rescue and Mine Recovery 
 
 3. Gas Instrumentation for Rescue Teams 
 
 Objective : To quantify the effects of 
 selected atmospheric and environmental 
 parameters in commercially available 
 methane detection instruments. This ef- 
 fort is in direct response to an MSHA re- 
 quest. This is a continuation of an on- 
 going project. 
 
 Explosives 
 
 Program Objectives : To maintain sur- 
 veillance over permissible explosives and 
 related items; determine hazard charac- 
 teristics of explosive substances, de- 
 vices, and systems not classified as per- 
 missible; and conduct research to support 
 MSHA in establishing and enforcing mean- 
 ingful standards and in investigating 
 accidents related to explosives. To pro- 
 vide insight into physical and chemical 
 aspects that cause explosives to malfunc- 
 tion. To improve blasting procedures 
 that will reduce hazards associated with 
 personnel control in blast-affected areas 
 and flyrock. To provide information on 
 stemming of large blastholes in gassy 
 metal and nonmetal mines. 
 
 Survival 
 
 1. Life Support for Escape and Rescue 
 
 Objective : To conduct research to in- 
 vestigate the physiology of escape and 
 rescue and the use of metabolic breathing 
 simulators in testing and design of 
 breathing apparatus, and to conduct long- 
 term field evaluations of self-contained 
 self-rescuers. This is a continuation of 
 an ongoing project. 
 
 1. Development of Safer Blasting 
 
 Procedures and Improved Explosive 
 Hazard Techniques 
 
 Objective : To increase safety in 
 blasting techniques and reduce explosive 
 hazards in underground coal mines 
 by (1) determining how blasting parame- 
 ters affect the probability of ignition 
 in multiple-delay blasting, (2) defining 
 and evaluating new types of sheathed ex- 
 plosives for specific applications and 
 then proposing scheduled tests for their 
 
17 
 
 approval, and (3) providing hazard cri- 
 teria and test procedures for new explo- 
 sives, blasting agents, initiating sys- 
 tems , and related devices involved in 
 accidents. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 2. Effect of Explosive Properties and 
 Blasting Procedures on Incendivity 
 and Performance 
 
 Objective : To evaluate new candidate 
 permissibles and ensure that certified 
 permissibles are made to specifications. 
 To study the deflagration and/or detona- 
 tion of water-gel and emulsion permissi- 
 bles. To improve blasting area security 
 in gassy noncoal mines by selecting, mod- 
 ifying, and mine testing of intruder 
 warning and detection systems. To deter- 
 mine minimum retention time of various 
 stemming materials for blasting in oil 
 shale and gassy underground mines. This 
 is a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 3. Basic Understanding of Deflagration 
 and Detonation Phenomena 
 
 show the relationship 
 pressure densitization 
 
 Objective ; To 
 between dynamic 
 and delay time before detonation. To es- 
 tablish the relationship between defla- 
 gration tendency of mining explosives and 
 the ignition condition utilized. This is 
 a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Systems Engineering 
 
 Program Objectives ; To provide insight 
 to the fundamental understanding of safe- 
 ty aspects concerned with automation/ 
 production in future mining systems, 
 and to anticipate/delineate future mine 
 safety problems so they can be treated 
 rationally. 
 
 Systems Analysis 
 
 1. Effectiveness of Mine Systems 
 
 Objective ; To provide a generic model 
 with case examples to evaluate mine 
 
 safety technology for cost-effectiveness; 
 and to perform mine hazard analyses of 
 total mine operations and address inter- 
 actions and address interactions among 
 health and safety problems that occur. 
 To update and expand data on mine equip- 
 ment use for identifying potential 
 hazards in coal mining operations; to 
 study the demographics of the mining 
 population in conjunction with Health and 
 Safety Analysis Center accident injury 
 data; and to adapt modern safety analy- 
 sis methods to determine the severity of 
 the more hazardous mining operations. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 2. 
 
 Test Facilities 
 
 Operation of the Lake Lynn 
 Laboratory 
 
 Objective ; To operate and maintain 
 specialized full-scale underground and 
 surface test facilities. Examples of 
 research activities to be pursued include 
 (1) reevaluation of passive barrier de- 
 ployment guidelines, (2) test of trig- 
 gered barrier systems mounted on a 
 continuous miner, (3) validation of con- 
 cepts on the ignition and propagation of 
 coal dust explosions, (4) evaluation of 
 large-scale burn tests Involving explo- 
 sives and blasting agents, and (5) acqui- 
 sition of data for approval of sheathed 
 explosive charges in novel applications. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 3. Operation of the Safety Research 
 Coal Mine and the Experimental 
 Mine 
 
 Objective: To operate and maintain two 
 specialized full-scale underground mine 
 facilities at the Bureau's Pittsburgh Re- 
 search Center, Bruceton, PA. Examples of 
 research activities to be pursued include 
 (1) identification of explosion hazards 
 of float coal dust layers, (2) develop- 
 ment of practical, economical, and reli- 
 able triggered and low-coal barriers, 
 
(3) determination of the effects of large 
 fires on mine ventilation systems, (4) 
 evaluation of sealed mine fires and their 
 extinguishment, and (5) evaluation of un- 
 derground communication and monitoring 
 systems. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 4. Operation of the Twilight Mine 
 Radiation Facility 
 
 Assistance With Program Management 
 
 5. Health and Safety Analysis Center 
 (HSAC) Support 
 
 Objective : To provide the Bureau with 
 easy access to statistical facts relating 
 to employment and accident Information 
 collected and compiled by HSAC. This is 
 a continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Objective : To operate and maintain a 
 specialized full-scale underground ura- 
 nium mine for intercomparison tests to be 
 conducted by the Bureau's Denver Research 
 Center in conjunction with both inter- 
 national laboratories and instrument man- 
 ufacturers. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 6. Information Retrieval Systems 
 
 Objective : To provide the Bureau with 
 accident cost data for estimating tangi- 
 ble cost of occupational injuries, ill- 
 nesses, and fatalities in the U.S. mining 
 industry. This is a continuation of an 
 ongoing project. 
 
 PART 2. — CONTRACT RESEARCH 
 
 HEALTH 
 
 Respirable Dust 
 
 Program Objectives : To investigate ba- 
 sic dust control technologies and con- 
 cepts aimed at both preventing the forma- 
 tion of respirable dust and controlling 
 the airborne dust generated during the 
 mining cycle. To provide new and im- 
 proved technology for measuring and con- 
 trolling airborne respirable dust at 
 levels that meet or are below standards 
 set by Federal law for all mining and 
 mineral processing operations. 
 
 1. Concepts for Reducing Silica Dust 
 in Coal Mines 
 
 Objective : To identify concepts to re- 
 duce silica dust in underground coal 
 mines. To reduce the concepts to prac- 
 tice through feasibility studies, proof- 
 of-principle tests, and laboratory and 
 
 underground testing. Emphasis will be on 
 concepts for drum-type continuous miners. 
 This is a continuation of an ongoing 
 project. 
 
 Noise Control 
 
 Program Objectives: To reduce mine 
 worker overexposure to noise by conduct- 
 ing research in noise source identifica- 
 tion, noise control technology, and hear- 
 ing protector research. 
 
 1. Acoustic Modeling of Mining 
 Environments 
 
 Objective : To develop an acoustic sim- 
 ulation of underground mines to evaluate 
 noise control techniques and to assess 
 worker overexposure to noise. Simulation 
 is to provide for cost-benefit analysis 
 of noise control measures. This is a new 
 project. 
 
19 
 
 Industrial Hygiene 
 Trpxic Substances) 
 
 Program Objectives: To identify and 
 control health hazards in surface and 
 underground mines and mineral processing 
 plants caused by toxic gases and fumes, 
 and certain particulates produced by ex- 
 plosives, combustible materials, and die- 
 sel engines. To analyze alternative pow- 
 er sources that may have health advan- 
 tages over existing mine diesels. 
 
 1. A Clean Internal Combustion Engine 
 fo r Underground Mining Machinery 
 
 Objective: To determine the adequacy 
 of the safety devices and systems of the 
 prototype hydride-fueled mining vehicle 
 currently being fabricated. This Is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Ventilation 
 
 Program Objectives: To develop venti- 
 lation systems required to maintain a 
 safe and healthful atmosphere conducive 
 to efficient work output in noncoal 
 mines. 
 
 1. Effective Face Ventilation Systems 
 for Oil Shale Mines 
 
 Objective: To develop and evaluate 
 conceptual designs for large-opening face 
 ventilation systems and to in-mlne- 
 evaluate two of these designs. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 SAFETY 
 
 Ground Control 
 
 Program Objectives : To develop tech- 
 nology that can be applied by the mining 
 industry to reduce accidents due to the 
 failure of underground mine roof, face, 
 and ribs, and the collapse of surface 
 mine and waste embankment slopes. 
 
 Mine Design and Development 
 
 1. Geological Conditions Affecting 
 Coal Mine Roof Control in the 
 Western United States 
 
 Objective : To conduct an overview of 
 hazardous geologic conditions that affect 
 underground coal mine roof stability in 
 the Western United States. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 Hazard Detection and 
 Monitoring Systems 
 
 2. Coal Mine Bump Monitoring 
 
 Objective : To monitor a working sec- 
 tion of a bump-prone underground coal 
 mine in the Pocahontas coal basin. West 
 Virginia, using Bureau-developed micro- 
 seismic monitoring systems. This is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 3. Focused Resistivity Method for 
 Detecting Subsurface Coal Mine 
 Workings 
 
 Objective : To improve the existing 
 automated resistivity measurement system 
 in order to extend the system's capabil- 
 ity for detection of subsurface mine 
 voids from the current limitation of 100 
 m to 200 to 300 m into coal-bearing 
 strata. This is a continuation of an on- 
 going project. 
 
 Waste Stability 
 
 4. Additives for Strengthening Back- 
 fill Waste Materials in Steep Coal 
 Seam Mining 
 
 Objective : To determine if cemented 
 backfills can be formulated from coal 
 washery wastes, pozzolanic materials, 
 sand alluviums, and decomposed sandstone 
 from a selected pitched seam coal mining 
 region in Washington State. This Is a 
 continuation of an ongoing project. 
 
 *U.S. CPO: 1985-505-019/20,005 
 
 INT.-BU.OF MINES, PGH., PA. 27924 
 
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