Abstract
Research programs at the Bureau of Mines have made notable progress since 1970. This report highlights many significant research results that are already available for use by the industry, as well as other work that is expected to be ready in the near future. The document focuses on accomplishments in the program areas of respirable dust; physical and chemical agents; ground control; industrial hazards; mine-disaster prevention; explosives; technology for mining coal, metals and nonmetal materials; controlling mine wastes, and conserving land resources. Despite the many accomplishments cited in the report, changing mining conditions-- such as deeper and thinner deposits with less stable formations-- continue to dictate the need for improvements in existing mining processes. The Bureau is addressing these needs by conducting research into new and radical approaches such as automation, robotics, remote sensing and solution mining.
