Wikipedia

United States Bureau of Mines: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Link to DAB page repaired
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 27 users not shown)
Line 1:
{{Short description|Government agency for mineral resources}}
{{Redirect|USBM|the music scene based in the United States|black metal}}
{{Infobox government agency
Line 6 ⟶ 7:
| formed = {{Start date|1910|05|16}}
| dissolved = March 30, 1996
| superseding = [[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]]<br />[[U.S. Geological Survey]]<br />[[Bureau of Land Management]]<br />[[Office of Mine Safety and Health Research]]<br />[[National Mine Map Repository]]
| jurisdiction = [[Federal Government of the United States]]
| headquarters = [[Washington, DCD.C.]], U.S. (former)
| motto = ''Safety and Efficiency''
| parent_department = [[Department of the Interior]]
Line 15 ⟶ 16:
For most of the 20th century, the '''United States Bureau of Mines''' ('''USBM''') was the primary [[Federal government of the United States|United States government]] agency conducting scientific research and disseminating information on the extraction, processing, use, and conservation of [[mineral]] [[natural resource|resources]]. The Bureau was abolished in 1996.
 
== Summary History==
{{See also|National Helium Reserve|N95 respirator#History}}
USBM was established in the [[Department of the Interior]] on May 16, 1910, pursuant to the Organic Act (Public Law 179), to deal with a wave of catastrophic [[Mining|mine]] disasters. The Bureau's mission was gradually expanded to include:
The U.S. Bureau of Mines was established in the [[United States Department of the Interior|U.S. States Department of the Interior]] on May 16, 1910, pursuant to the Organic Act (Public Law 179), to deal with a wave of catastrophic [[Mining|mine]] disasters. The Bureau's mission was gradually expanded to include:
* The conduct of research to enhance the safety, health, and environmental impact of mining and processing of minerals and materials.
* The collection, analysis, and dissemination of information about mining and processing of more than 100 mineral commodities across the Nation and in more than 185 countries around the world.
* Analysis of the impact of proposed mineral-related laws and regulations upon the national interest.
* Production, conservation, sale, and distribution of [[helium]] for essential government activities.
* Respirator guidelines, and after the [[Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster]], respirator regulation and approval.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.assp.org/docs/default-source/psj-articles/vpspencer_0223.pdf?sfvrsn=afa39647_0|title=The Historic and Cultural Importance of the HAWKS NEST TUNNEL DISASTER|first=Spencer|last=Howard W.|publisher=American Society of Safety Professionals}}</ref>
 
The first director of the USBM was [[Joseph Austin Holmes]], a pioneer in occupational safety and health. He served from 1910 until his death in 1915.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/works/coversheet1609.html|title=A History of the Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh Research Center|last1=Tuchman|first1=R.|last2=Brinkley|date=January 1990|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-11-09}}</ref>
 
From its creation, the USBM was viewed, both nationally and internationally, as the focal point for new and emerging science and technology in the minerals field. Since entering competition in 1978, the Bureau of Mines won 35 R&D 100 Awards, given annually by ''[[R&D Magazine]]'' for the 100 most important research innovations of the year. This achievement is especially impressive considering the small size of the Bureau's research budget, compared to those of competing organizations, such as [[DuPont|E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company]], [[Westinghouse Electric (1886)|Westinghouse Electric Corporation]], [[General Electric|General Electric Company]], [[Hitachi, Ltd.]], the [[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]], and the [[NASA|National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] (NASA).
 
== Evolution of USBM ==
USBM originally provided safety and health inspection for mines on a nationwide basis, replacing some, but not all state inspection operations. This division comprised the majority of personnel in USBM. In 1973 the [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]] created a separate agency within the department, the [[Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration]] (MESA), and the safety and health enforcement responsibilities were transferred to the new agency.<ref name="MSHA history">{{cite web |url=https://arlweb.msha.gov/MSHAINFO/MSHAINF2.htm |title=History of Mine Safety and Health Legislation |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |publisher=U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration |location=Arlington, VA |access-date=2017-08-24}}</ref> In 1977 [[United States Congress|Congress]] passed the [[Federal Mine Safety and Health Act]], which expanded the federal authority for health and safety regulation, and created a new agency, the [[Mine Safety and Health Administration]] (MSHA).<ref>United States. Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, {{uspl|95|164}}, approved November 9, 1977.</ref> MSHA is located in the [[United States Department of Labor|Department of Labor]], and replaced MESA.<ref name="MSHA history"/>
 
Congress created the [[Office of Surface Mining]] with the passage of the [[Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977]], and this agency inherited USBM's surface mining activities.<ref>United States. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, {{uspl|95|87}}, approved August 3, 1977.</ref> The [[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]] (DOE), also established in 1977, took over the USBM Coal Productivity Research division.<ref>United States. Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, {{uspl|95|91}}, approved August 4, 1977.</ref> However, the work was left unfunded by the newly created DOE as other priorities tootook the budget. These reorganizations led to a reduction in USBM staff, from approximately 6,000 in 1968 to 2,600 in the late 1970s. At its peak, USBM had 14 centers throughout the nation, but that was eventually reduced to four "mining research centers" in Denver, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Spokane.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}
 
== Closure of USBM ==
[[File:Bruceton Research Center 2018.jpg|thumb|Building at the Bruceton Research Center near [[Pittsburgh]] in 2018, displaying a Bureau of Mines seal long after its closure]]
:"We leave knowing that the proud accomplishments of this agency did make a difference in the quality of life we now enjoy, and they will continue to do so well into the 21st century." &mdash; USBM Director [[Rhea Graham]]
 
:"We leave knowing that the proud accomplishments of this agency did make a difference in the quality of life we now enjoy, and they will continue to do so well into the 21st century." &mdash; USBM Director [[Rhea Lydia Graham|Rhea Graham]]
In September 1995, [[United States Congress|Congress]] voted to close the Bureau of Mines and to transfer certain functions to other federal agencies. With USBM's closure, almost $100 million, or 66%, of its 1995 programs ceased, and approximately 1,000 of its employees were dismissed. Certain specific health, safety, and materials programs were transferred to the [[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]], and certain minerals information activities moved to the [[United States Geological Survey|U.S. Geological Survey]] and the [[Bureau of Land Management]]. The Bureau's archive of mining maps was transferred to the [[National Mine Map Repository]] (NMMR), a part of the [[Office of Surface Mining]] (OSM). Closure of the Bureau of Mines, and the accompanying transfers of functions and employee layoffs were essentially complete in March 1996.
 
In September 1995, [[United States Congress|Congress]] voted to close the Bureau of Mines and to transfer certain functions to other federal agencies. With USBM's closure, almost $100&nbsp;million, or 66%, of its 1995 programs ceased, and approximately 1,000 of its employees were dismissed. Certain specific health, safety, and materials programs were transferred to the [[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]], and certain minerals information activities moved to the [[United States Geological Survey|U.S. Geological Survey]] and the [[Bureau of Land Management]]. The Bureau's archive of mining maps was transferred to the [[National Mine Map Repository]] (NMMR), a part of the [[Office of Surface Mining]] (OSM). Closure of the Bureau of Mines, and the accompanying transfers of functions and employee layoffs were essentially complete in March 1996.
The Bureau's Minerals Information functions were transferred to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in early 1996. The "Mineral Industry Surveys," "Mineral Commodity Summaries," and the "Minerals Yearbook" continued to be published. The Bureau's technical reports are archived by [[Technical Report Archive & Image Library]]
 
The Bureau's Minerals Information functions were transferred to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in early 1996. The "Mineral Industry Surveys", "Mineral Commodity Summaries", and the "Minerals Yearbook" continued to be published. The Bureau's technical reports are archived by the [[Technical Report Archive & Image Library]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=TRAIL - Bureau of Mines reports |url=http://www.technicalreports.org/trail/search/?q=issuing_agency%3ABureau+issuing_agency%3AMines |website=[[Technical Report Archive & Image Library]]}}</ref>
The Health and Safety Research Program at the [[Pittsburgh]] and [[Spokane]] Research Centers was assigned on an interim basis to DOE (Public Law 104-99). In fiscal year 1997, it was permanently transferred to the [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH) (Public Law 104-134). NIOSH is part of the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] within the [[Department of Health and Human Services]]. A total of 413 full-time equivalent employees were transferred to NIOSH on October 11, 1996—336 in Pittsburgh and 77 in Spokane. A position of Associate Director for Mining in the NIOSH headquarters office was created. Under NIOSH, the Pittsburgh and Spokane Research "Centers" were renamed the [[Experimental Mine, U.S. Bureau of Mines|Pittsburgh Research Laboratory]] and Spokane Research Laboratory. Both labs currently reside under NIOSH's [[Office of Mine Safety and Health Research]].
 
The Health and Safety Research Program at the [[Pittsburgh]] and [[Spokane]] Research Centers was assigned on an interim basis to DOE (Public Law 104-99). In fiscal year 1997, it was permanently transferred to the [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH) (Public Law 104-134). NIOSH is part of the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] within the [[Department of Health and Human Services]]. A total of 413 full-time equivalent employees were transferred to NIOSH on October 11, 1996: 336 in Pittsburgh and 77 in Spokane. A position of Associate Director for Mining in the NIOSH headquarters office was created. Under NIOSH, the Pittsburgh and Spokane Research "Centers" were renamed the [[Experimental Mine, U.S. Bureau of Mines|Pittsburgh Research Laboratory]] and Spokane Research Laboratory. Both labs currently reside under NIOSH's [[Office of Mine Safety and Health Research]].
 
== Proposed re-establishment ==
On May 28, 2010, [[U.S. Senator|Senator]] [[Jay Rockefeller]] (D-WV) released a list of proposed changes to mine safety laws including re-establishing the Bureau of Mines.<ref name="Rivard">{{cite news|last=Rivard|first=Ry|title=Massey CEO urges caution|url=http://dailymail.com/Business/201005300623|accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2010|newspaper=[[Charleston Daily Mail]]|date=May 31, 2010}}</ref>
 
In July 5, 2024, a renewed push by mining companies to revive the Bureau of Mines occurred who are seeking to streamline regulations.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-miners-push-washington-revive-long-dormant-bureau-mines-2024-07-05/ | title=US miners push Washington to revive long-dormant Bureau of Mines | first=Ernest | last=Scheyder | date=2024-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.today/20240706012427/https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-miners-push-washington-revive-long-dormant-bureau-mines-2024-07-05/ | title=US miners push Washington to revive long-dormant Bureau of Mines &#124; Re… }}</ref>
 
== Directors ==
The Bureau had 19 permanent directors from its inception in 1910 to its abolishment in 1996.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/userfiles/works/pdfs/2010-128.pdf |title=One Hundred Years of Federal Mining Safety and Health Research |last=Breslin |first=John A. |date=February 2010 |page=84 |publisher=[[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] |access-date=2021-10-29}}</ref>
 
{|class=wikitable style="clear:right; text-align:center"
|-
!No.
!Image
!width=120|Name
!Took office
!Left office
!Notes
|-
! 1
| [[File:Cassier's magazine (1911) (14576704380).jpg|75px]]
| [[Joseph Austin Holmes]]
| 1910
| 1915
|
|-
|-
! 2
| [[File:Portrait of Van H. Manning (cropped).png|75px]]
| [[Van H. Manning (engineer)|Van H. Manning]]
| 1915
| 1920
|
|-
! 3
| [[File:Fgcottrell.jpg|75px]]
| [[Frederick Gardner Cottrell]]
| 1920
| 1920
|
|-
! 4
| [[File:Dr. H. Foster Bain LCCN2014718336 (cropped).tif|75px]]
| [[H. Foster Bain]]
| 1921
| 1925
|
|-
! 5
| [[File:Scott Turner, Director of Bu. of Mines, 11-16-25 LCCN2016841338.jpg|75px]]
| [[Scott Turner (engineer)|Scott Turner]]
| 1925
| 1934
|
|-
! 6
|
| [[John W. Finch]]
| 1934
| 1940
|
|-
! 7
| [[File:Royd Ray Sayers 1940.png|75px]]
| [[Royd R. Sayers]]
| 1940
| 1947
|
|-
! 8
|
| [[James Boyd (engineer)|James Boyd]]
| 1947
| 1951
|
|-
! 9
|
| [[John J. Forbes]]
| 1951
| 1955
|
|-
! 10
|
| [[Marling J. Ankeny]]
| 1956
| 1964
|
|-
! 11
|
| [[Walter R. Hibbard Jr.]]
| 1964
| 1968
|
|-
! 12
|
| [[John F. O'Leary]]
| 1968
| 1970
|
|-
! 13
|
| [[Elburt F. Osborn]]
| 1970
| 1973
|
|-
! 14
|
| [[Thomas V. Falkie]]
| 1974
| 1977
|
|-
! 15
|
| [[Roger A. Markle]]
| 1978
| 1979
|
|-
! 16
|
| [[Lindsay D. Norman]]
| 1980
| 1981
|
|-
! 17
|
| [[Robert C. Horton]]
| 1981
| 1987
|
|-
! 18
|
| [[T. S. Ary]]
| 1988
| 1993
|
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
! —
|
|[[Herman Enzer]]
<small>Acting</small>
| 1993
| 1994
| <ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/userfiles/works/pdfs/2010-128.pdf |title=One Hundred Years of Federal Mining Safety and Health Research |last=Breslin |first=John A. |date=February 2010 |page=59 |publisher=[[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] |access-date=2021-10-29}}</ref>
|-
! 19
|
| [[Rhea Lydia Graham|Rhea L. Graham]]
| 1994
| 1996
|
|}
 
== List of accomplishments==
[[File:United States Bureau of Mines, test - Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|United States Bureau of Mines employee conducting a test, {{circa |1920}}]]
[[File:Main Building, U.S. Bureau of Mines.jpg|thumb|Former USU.S. Bureau of Mines Building in [[Pittsburgh]].]]
Since its founding, the numerous accomplishments of the Bureau of Mines have included the identification and development of many new processes, including:
* Technologies that contributed to reduction of fatalities in [[Mining accident|mine disasters]] by 97 percent, from 3,000 in 1907 to 98 in 1993.<ref name=Interior1995>{{cite book | title = U.S. Department of the Interior, Annual Report, Fiscal Year 1995 | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior | date = 1996 | pages = 50–51 | url = http://www.doi.gov/pfm/ar5entir.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041109230819/http://www.doi.gov/pfm/ar5entir.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2004-11-09 }}</ref>
* Self-rescue equipment to allow [[mining|miner]]s to continue to breathe when caught in underground disasters.<ref name=Interior1995/>
* Low-cost methods to extract [[radium]] for [[cancer]] treatment.<ref name=Interior1995/>
* Production processes for [[titanium]], which is critical for [[aerospace]] and [[automobile]] manufacturing, and [[zirconium]], which is essential to [[nuclear navy|nuclear]] naval vessels.<ref name=Interior1995/>
* Techniques to recover strategic and critical minerals, such as [[cobalt]] and [[chromium]], to reduce U.S. vulnerability to import blockages in international crises, especially during the [[Cold War]].<ref name=Interior1995/>
* Construction of manmade [[wetland]]s to limit pollution of [[waterway]]s by [[acid mine drainage]] from nearby mining and mineral-processing operations.<ref name=Interior1995/>
* Methods to minimize damage from [[subsidence]], the sinking of the surface of the earth above underground mines.<ref name=Interior1995/>
* Improved [[recycling]] of metals, plastic and paper from municipal wastes, including a technology, now used around the world, to recycle [[municipal solid waste]].<ref name=Interior1995/>
Line 61 ⟶ 223:
 
==See also==
* [[Mine Safety and Health Administration|MSHA]]
* [[Critical mineral raw materials]]
* [[Mining in the United States]]
 
== References ==
{{USGovernment|sourceURLarchive-url=[https://web.archive.org/web/20041109230819/http://www.doi.gov/pfm/ar5entir.pdf |archive-date=2004-11-09|url=http://www.doi.gov/pfm/ar5entir.pdf|title=Department of Interior 1995 Annual Report]}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book |title=The Bureau of Mines: Its History, Activities And Organization |last=Powell |first=Fred Wilbur |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1922 |publisher=D. Appleton And Company |location=New York |isbn= |page= |pages= |url=https://booksarchive.google.comorg/books?id=lA4KAAAAIAAJdetails/bub_gb_lA4KAAAAIAAJ |accessdateaccess-date=2009-08-06}}
* {{cite web | title=Bureau of Mines | work=Department of Interior 1995 Annual Report | url=http://www.doi.gov/pfm/ar5bom.html | accessdateaccess-date=April 7, 2005 |archiveurlarchive-url = httphttps://web.archive.org/web/20041225194952/http://www.doi.gov/pfm/ar5bom.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedatearchive-date = December 25, 2004}}
* {{cite web | title=Records of the U.S. Bureau of Mines | work=National Archives and Records Administration | url=httphttps://www.archives.gov/research_room/federal_records_guide/bureau_of_mines_rg070.html | accessdateaccess-date=April 7, 2005 }}
* {{cite web | title=United States Bureau of Mines Collection | work=National Mine Health and Safety Academy | url=httphttps://wwwarlweb.msha.gov/TRAININGTraining/LIBRARYlibrary/BureauofMines.htm | accessdateaccess-date=AprilJune 710, 20052019 }}
* {{cite web | title=The History of the National Mine Map Repository | url=http://mmr.osmre.gov/MMR_History.aspx | accessdateaccess-date=February 12, 2009 }}
{{Refend}}
 
== External links ==
{{Wikisource|1=Code of Federal Regulations/Title 30/1959/Chapter I|2=1959 Code of Federal Regulations, Title 30, Chapter I}}
{{commons category|United States Bureau of Mines}}
{{Commons category|United States Bureau of Mines}}
* [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/content/history.html NIOSH's Office of Mining and Construction Safety and Health Research]
* [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/content/history.html NIOSH's Office of Mining and Construction Safety and Health Research]
* [http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/EcoNatRes.MineralsYearBk Minerals Yearbook] full text (University of Wisconsin Digital Collections)
* Historic technical reports from the Bureau of Mines at the [http://www.technicalreports.org/ Technical Report Archive and Image Library (TRAIL)]
 
{{Authority control}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:United States Bureau Of Mines}}
[[Category:United States Bureau of Mines| ]]
[[Category:United States Department of the Interior|Mines]]
[[Category:Mining law and governance]]
Line 89 ⟶ 256:
[[Category:Government agencies disestablished in 1995]]
[[Category:1910 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:United States Bureau of Mines|United States Bureau of Mines]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bureau_of_Mines"