From abstract: A study of mean random vitrinite reflectance of surface and near-surface samples was conducted in western Colorado and eastern Utah in order to better understand the subsidence and thermal histories of the Laramide-age Uinta and Piceance basins and to estimate the the thickness of overburden removed from the two basins. The history of uplift on some of the adjacent Laramide uplifts were also studied.

From abstract: In the Sawatch, Mosquito and Front Ranges of central Colorado and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of south-central Colorado, Tournaisian beds of the Mississippian Leadville Limestone overlie rocks of Early Mississippian and Late Devonian age. In the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in north-central New Mexico, the oldest beds are the Tournaisian (zone 9) Espiritu Santo Formation. In west-central New Mexico, in the Magdalena, Lemitar, and Ladron Mountains, the Kelly Limestone of Tournaisian and Visean age rests unconformably on Proterozoic metamorphic and igneous rocks. This report examines the stratigraphy of this area.

From abstract: The Wabayuma Peak Wilderness Study Area (AZ-020-037/043), for which a mineral survey was requested by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, encompasses 40,118 acres in northwestern Arizona. Fieldwork was carried out in 1986-88 by the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the U.S. Geological Survey to appraise the identified (known) resources and assess the mineral resource potential (undiscovered) of the wilderness study area. Within the Wabayuma Peak Wilderness Study Area are 14 private parcels of land totaling 1,315 acres. The Wabayuma Peak Wilderness Study Area, including the 14 private parcels of land, is herein referred to as the "wilderness study area" or the "study area." The Boriana, Antler, and Copper World mines lie near the east boundary of the study area. The Boriana mine was a major tungsten-producing mine of the United States during World War II. The Antler and Copper World mines produced relatively small amounts of copper and zinc prior to 1970.

From abstract: The Paria-Hackberry Wilderness Study Area, in central Kane County, southern Utah, is a region of generally flat-lying, gently folded sedimentary rocks, bounded on the east by the east-dipping limb of the East Kaibab monocline and cut by sheer-walled, narrow canyons. The area selected for study by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management totaled 94,642 acres (148 square miles); because of uncertainty as to final boundaries, the U.S. Geological Survey studied an additional contiguous 41,180 acres (64 square miles).

Abstract: The Negro Bill Canyon (UT-060-138) Wilderness Study Area is in southeastern Utah in Grand County southeast of Arches National Monument and covers 7,620 acres. No mineral resources are identified in the study area. Lode mining claims cover the western part of the Negro Bill Canyon Wilderness Study Area; there are no patented claims in the study area. The mineral resource potential for gypsum, potash, halite, and bentonite on the surface and in the subsurface beneath the wilderness study area is high. The energy and mineral resource potential for oil, gas, carbon dioxide, uranium and vanadium on the surface and beneath the wilderness study area is moderate. The potential for helium gas, geothermal sources, and metals other than uranium and vanadium is low.

Abstract: The Willow Creek Wilderness Study Area (CO-010-002) and the Skull Creek Wilderness Study Area (C-010-003), which contain 13,368 acres and 13,739 acres, respectively, are in northwest Colorado near the Utah border. There are no identified resources in either of the study areas. The study areas have low resource potential for undiscovered uranium, vanadium, copper, and all other metals; oil and gas; and coal.

From abstract: A mineral resource survey was conducted in 1987 by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines to evaluate mineral resources (known) and mineral resource potential (undiscovered) of the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area (MT-075-111) in Lewis and Clark County, Montana. The only economic resource in the study area is an inferred 1.35-million-ton reserve of decorative stone (slate); a small gold placer resource is subeconomic. A high resource potential for decorative slate exists directly adjacent to the area of identified slate resource and in the northeastern part of the study area. The rest of the study area has a low potential for decorative slate. The westernmost part of the study area has a moderate resource potential for copper and associated silver in strata-bound deposits in green beds and limestone; potential is low in the rest of the study area.

From abstract: A complex Neogene history characterizes the offshore Santa Maria basin and the northwest margin of the western Transverse Ranges, California. This history includes the transition from subduction to a transtensional and then transpressional plate boundary, including about 900 of clockwise rotation of the western Transverse Ranges. This report uses seismic reflection data to document the geometry of structures that accommodated this deformation and offshore well data to date and correlate the sediments which were affected by the different tectonic episodes.

From abstract: The report for document C is about the tectonic trends of the northern part of the Paradox Basin of southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado, as derived from Landsat multispectral scanner imaging and geophysical and geologic mapping. The report for document D is about an uncontrolled X-band airborn radar-image mosaic that was compiled for the western three-fifths of the Moab 1° x 2° quadrangle of southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado.

Abstract: This U. S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) report presents results of stress analyses and field observations to investigate the effects of elevated trench drifts on the structural stability of rock mass zones surrounding a production draw drift in a mine utilizing a mechanized load-haul-dump (LHD) trench undercut panel caving system. A two-dimensional boundary-element mine stress model was developed to predict the locations and extent of damaged rock mass zones surrounding draw drifts where adjacent, parallel trench drifts are either elevated or not elevated above the LHD production draw drift level. A Mohr-Coulomb shear-failure criterion was obtained directly from in situ borehole shear test data. Hoek-Brown shear-failure parameter values were computed from borehole-shear and triaxial test data. A procedure is described to estimate these parameters when a rock mass rating (RMR) value and triaxial data on intact samples exist, and no borehole shear test data exist. Results indicate that trench drifts, elevated to the level equal to the height of the LHD production draw drift, would not minimize material damage nor significantly enhance the stability of rib and crown pillar zones surrounding production draw drifts in the mechanized LHD trench undercut caving panel investigated at this mine.

From abstract: The U.S. Bureau of Mines Reno Research Center investigated, developed, and patented a high temperature cyanide leaching process for recovering platinum-group metals (PGM) from automobile catalysts. A batch pilot plant was constructed at the center and operated to demonstrate this technology to industry.

Abstract: The U.S. Bureau of Mines, Tuscaloosa Research Center, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under interagency Agreement No. 14-09-0078-1510, conducted a comprehensive sampling program of 10 upland disposal sites along the Alabama, Black Warrior, and Tombigbee River systems in Alabama. Samples from each site were characterized according to particle size, chemical analysis, mineralogical content, and potential end use. Additionally, samples were subjected to the Toxic Characteristic Leachate Procedure to determine the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals. Based on the results of these studies, each sample was determined to have properties amenable for use as aggregate in general-purpose portland cement concretes and certain asphalt concrete applications.

Abstract: This U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) report summarizes a field demonstration of pneumatic backfiling technologies conducted at the abandoned Hillside Coal and Iron Slope in Vandling, PA. Researchers demonstrated tro pneumatic backfilling technologies recently developed under the USBM's Abandoned Mine Reclamation Research Program, the Pneumatic Pipefeeder and the High-Efficiency Ejector. Both systems had previously been evaluated at the USBM's subsidence abatement investigation laboratory near Fairchance, PA. The objective of the demonstration was to fill 100% of the abandoned tunnel with backfill stone to prevent further subsidence. The Pneumatic Pipefeeder was used for 21 days, at a rate of 63 to 124 t/d (69 to 136 st/d), to fill 88% of the tunnel. The High-Efficiency Ejector was used for 2 days, at a rate of 125 to 132 t/d (138 to 146 st/d) to fill the remaining 12% of the tunnel. The backfill placed by both systems was tightly compacted. The major problem encountered was wear on the polyethylene pipeline from the abrasion of the high-velocity backfill. The use of heavier steel pipe minimized the problem. A cost analysis for the entire project is given.

Abstract: The first step in determining whether Mn can be recovered by in situ leaching is to develop and test a selective lixiviant. Two column leach tests and one core leach test were conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines on Mn oxide ore using aqueous sulfur dioxide (SO2) as the lixiviant. The column tests showed that aqueous SO2 could selectively dissolve available Mn oxides from calcite-rich ore in a heap leach system. However, the core test showed that calcite gangue side reactions can have pronounced negative effects on the likelihood of successful in situ leaching of a calcite-rich ore with aqueous SO2. Petrographic and geochemical analyses showed that both Mn (IV, II) oxides and calcite were dissolved. The abundance of dissolved Ca caused precipitation of gypsum. Acid consumption by calcite dissolution caused a rise in pH that caused the S02/S species to shift to SO32- (sulfite), which hindered reductive dissolution of Mn oxide. Gypsum precipitation did not affect complete leaching of the rock fragments in the column tests; however, it plugged the natural permeability in the core. Manganese recoveries were high for the column tests and low for the core test.

From abstract: Seventeen stratigraphic sections totalling 4,514.3 m were investigated and previous reports studied in order to clarify and illustrate the stratigraphy of most of the Eocene part of the fluvial and lacustrine Green River Formation in the south-central part of the Uinta basin of Utah.

From abstract: This report is an in-depth observation of the structural evolution of gilsonite dikes in the eastern Uinta basin of Utah.

From abstract: This report describes the North Horn Formation in the eastern part of the San Pitch Mountains of Utah was deposited in nonmarine environments that included alluvial fans, varied fluvial and overbank settings, and lacustrine settings.

From abstract: The primary goal of the U.S. Geological Survey-Bureau of Indian Affairs drilling project in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation in McKinley County, New Mexico, was to better understand the relationship between host-rock stratigraphy and uranium mineralization. As part of this project, geochemical studies of approximately 280 samples from 8 cores and 1 outcrop were undertaken; samples from 4 of the cores show uranium enrichment. Geochemical relationships between samples of weathered outcrop, oxidized core, reduced (unmineralized) core, and ore-bearing core were contrasted by comparison of element abundances.

From introduction to each respective report: Report J summarizes the results of several studies concerning the stratigraphy and sedimentology of uppermost Jurassic to lowermost Upper Cretaceous rocks in the San Juan basin and adjacent areas. Report K describes using X-ray diffraction techniques to determine the occurrence and distribution of clay minerals in the upper part of the Brushy Basin Member and in the Burro Canyon Formation in the Four Corners area.

From introduction: The investigation described herein is a part of the USGS Evolution of Sedimentary Basins Program. This report concerns the Pennsylvanian and Permian stratigraphic framework, structural development, and paleogeography of the San Juan Basin.

From abstract: The uppermost Cretaceous Lance Formation was studied in the Powder River Basin and nearby basins of Wyoming and Montana. The Lance Formation is overlain by the continental Paleocene Fort Union Formation. This report is a petrography and stratigraphy study on these basins.

From abstract: This report is a study on the history of sedimentology and deposition of the lower Paleocene Tullock Member of the Fort Union Formation, Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana while looking at the geometry and sedimentary structures.

From Abstract: This report describes the kinematics of the Aspen Grove landslide of Ephraim Canyon in central Utah that moved during the spring and summer months of 1983-86.

From abstract: This report contains the complete Bouger and isostatic residual gravity maps of the Anadarko basin, Wichita Mountains, and surrounding areas on parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Colorado that were compiled using gravity data from 11,023 stations.