Bureau Of Mines Publications

Collection

Identifier: 5018

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains publications from the United States Bureau of Mines and has been arranged into six series.

Series 1 Information Circulars include information on mining and milling methods from around the United States, often with a focus on the cost. Information Circulars also include studies of minerals, human resource management, and procedural manuals for sampling as well as blasting. Please see box list for more information.

Series 2 Miner’s Circulars include safety regulations and studies. The circulars contained in this collection largely focus on mine gases and barricading measures during mine fires in the United States and Canada. Please see box list for more information.

Series 3 Reports and Lists of Publications consists of yearbooks and lists put out by the Bureau of Mines, as well as contract reports and collections of reports specifically gathered together by Homestake employees.

Series 4 Technical Papers cover a wide range of topics including extraction of minerals, explosives, buying and selling of ores, analyses of coal and saving fuel. These papers encompass studies from around the globe. Please see box list for more information.

Series 5 Reports of Investigations cover a wide range of topics but largely focus on the future of mine production, environmental effects of mining, mineral deposits in North America, and the improvement of safety for mine workers. Please see box list for more information.

Series 6 Bulletins include information on developments in experiment stations, recovery of oil during the mining process, analyses of coal, and investigations into the use of gasses during World War I. The bulletins contained in this collection focus largely on the use and control of natural gases. Please see box list for more information.

Dates

1910-1997

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center with no restrictions to access. The collection may be utilized during normal operating hours or by appointment.

Biographical / Historical

The 1910 Organic Act established the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM). Administered by the Department of Interior, the USBM's primary function was to study mine disasters and to provide safety and health inspections. The USBM collected and analyzed information regarding mining and published their findings in reports, circulars, and bulletins.

Over five decades, the USBM's tasks expanded to include investigating mineral-related laws and regulating the production of helium during times of war. USBM built fourteen centers across the country where employees developed new processes for producing titanium and extracting radium for cancer treatments. Employees designed self-rescue equipment for miners. Construction of wetlands to limit mine pollution and minimize subsidence was also overseen by USBM.

Most safety functions carried about by USBM were transferred to the Department of Labor as a result of the passage of the 1977 Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. The USBM decreased their workforce, closed ten centers, and turned their focus to the study of mining technology and mineral studies. The centers in Denver, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Spokane remained in operation until 1995, at which time Congress voted to close the USBM. Reports and circulars already in progress were completed and published until 1997. The USBM's archive of mining maps transferred to the National Mine Map Repository, an extension of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) and the U.S. Geological Survey publishes mineral information.

Extent

4.16 Linear feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Bureau of Mines Publications Collection consists of several types of literature published by the Bureau between 1910 and 1997. These publications were received and used by employees of the Homestake Mining Company.

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged into six series by type of publication and thereunder numerically by their assigned circular, report, or bulletin number.

Related Materials

Additional publications from the Bureau of Mines can be found in 5017 Nathaniel Herz Papers. Homestake carried out a number of projects in coordination with, and through grants offered by the USBM. Materials and correspondence related to these are found in the Homestake Mining Company Collections. The Homestake Mining Company also contains a number of USGS publications.

The National Mine Map Repository now holds the mining map archive originally owned by the USBM. More information about the National Mine Map Repository can be found online at https://mmr.osmre.gov/