- Industry: Mining
- Number of terms: 33118
- Number of blossaries: 0
- Company Profile:
The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) was the primary United States Government agency conducting scientific research and disseminating information on the extraction, processing, use, and conservation of mineral resources.
Founded on May 16, 1910, through the Organic Act (Public Law 179), USBM's missions ...
A nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group. Symbol, P. Never found free in nature, but is widely distributed in combination with minerals. An important source is phosphate rock, which contains the mineral apatite. Ignites spontaneously, and is very poisonous; must be kept under water. Used in safety matches, pyrotechnics, pesticides, incendiary shells, smoke bombs, tracer bullets, and fertilizers.
Industry:Mining
A nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group. Symbol, P. Never found free in nature, but is widely distributed in combination with minerals. An important source is phosphate rock, which contains the mineral apatite. Ignites spontaneously, and is very poisonous; must be kept under water. Used in safety matches, pyrotechnics, pesticides, incendiary shells, smoke bombs, tracer bullets, and fertilizers.
Industry:Mining
A nonmetallic element that is the second most abundant on Earth, being exceeded only by oxygen. Symbol, Si. Silicon is not found free in nature, but occurs as the oxide and silicate. Sand, quartz, rock crystal, amethyst, agate, flint, jasper, and opal are some of the forms in which the oxide appears. Hornblende, orthoclase, kaolin, and biotite are a few of the numerous silicate minerals. Used in the electronics and space-age industries; used to make concrete, brick, and glass. Miners often develop a serious lung disease, silicosis, from breathing large quantities of the dust.
Industry:Mining
A nonmetallic element, normally colorless, odorless, tasteless, nonflammable diatomic gas. Symbol, O. Occurs uncombined in the air to the extent of about 21% by volume and is combined in water, in most rocks and minerals, and in a great variety of organic compounds. Oxygen is very reactive and capable of combining with most elements. Essential for respiration in all plants and animals and for practically all combustion. Oxygen enrichment of steel blast furnaces accounts for the greatest use of the gas. Used in manufacturing ammonia, methanol, and ethylene oxide.
Industry:Mining
A nonmetallic element, the lightest of the halogens; it is a pale yellow, corrosive gas, that is highly toxic. Symbol, F. It is the most electronegative and reactive of all the elements. Fluorine occurs chiefly in fluorite (CaF<sub>2</sub>) and cryolite (Na<sub>2</sub>AIF<sub>6</sub>), but is widely distributed in other minerals. Used in producing uranium and many hightemperature plastics.
Industry:Mining
A nonmetallic rod used to push explosive cartridges into position in a shothole and to ram tight the stemming.
Industry:Mining
A nonmetallic rod used to push explosive cartridges into position in a shothole and to ram tight the stemming.
Industry:Mining
A nonmetallic, bluish-black, lustrous solid element, volatilizing at ordinary temperatures into a blue-violet gas with an irritating odor. Symbol, I. Occurs sparingly in sea water, in saltpeter and nitrate-bearing earth (known as caliche), in brines, and in brackish waters from oil and salt wells. Its compounds are used in medicines, photography, and organic chemistry.
Industry:Mining
A nonpermitted gelatinous explosive; medium strength, high density, and good water resistance. Used in tunneling in nongassy mines in rocks of medium hardness.
Industry:Mining
