Bureau of Mines research 1976: a summary of significant results in mining, metallurgy, and mineral economics

Book · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:5232079

It takes 40,000 pounds of mineral commodities such as stone, coal, metals, petroleum, and natural gas to sustain each person annually in the U.S. Although these basic materials constitute a relatively small fraction of the total GNP, the energy-generating and material-processing industries apply labor, capital, technology, and enterprise to multiply their value about three times. Through research, the Bureau of Mines improves technology to increae recovery of coal, copper, and other minerals from domestic deposits; improve the economics of recycling scrap metals; extend the normal lifespan of virgin metals and materials; and find industrial uses for mineral-processing wastes. This sixth in a series of annual Bureau of Mines publications, Research 76, highlights significant research projects and mineral data studies conducted in the past fiscal year. In-house investigations at research facilities throughout the United States utilized approximately $69 million of the Bureau's $159 million budget. During Fiscal Year 1976, Bureau R and D concentrated on increasing mineral production, decreasing energy usage through more efficient processing, and decreasing material losses caused by corrosion. Research continued on improving coal-preparation techniques, especially to expand utilization of low-grade coals and coals difficult to beneficiate. Because of fluctuations in the availability of foreign sources of raw materials (owing to varying international political and economic factors), the Bureau has intensified investigation into coal mining, uranium-ore processing, and geothermal energy sources--three alternatives for minimizing U.S. dependence on foreign energy sources. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 5232079
• Report Number(s): NP-22764
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
290500 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
BUDGETS
COAL MINING
CONSUMPTION RATES
DATA COMPILATION
DECISION MAKING
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EXPLOITATION
FINANCING
MARKET
METALLURGY
METALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
MONOPOLIES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PROCESSING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCES
US BUREAU OF MINES
US ORGANIZATIONS