The sheer scale of dust producing activities in mining – from drilling to blasting, hauling, crashing, and material handling – makes an effective dust suppression system an operational necessity. Without effective dust control in mines, dust emissions can pose a health hazard for operators, reduce equipment performance, and damage the local environment.
Read on to find out more, and discover how a tailored dust control solution can help meet the demanding needs of your mining operation.
Protecting The Health and Safety Of Workers
Many mining and extraction activities generate fine particulate matter as rocks are broken down into fine aggregates. These frequently release harmful substances such as crystalline silica into the air which, if inhaled, can cause an array of chronic respiratory conditions, including lung disease, silicosis, and lung cancer. For workers in underground mines, especially, the confined working environment can exacerbate these risks, making it critical to have an effective dust control system in place. A low moisture dust control system helps you to prioritise worker safety by neutralising and capturing hazardous dust particles at source, preventing them from spreading around the mine.
Increasing Operational Efficiency
Rogue dust particles play havoc with machinery and plant as well as impacting air quality, which can compromise your operational performance. Uncontrolled dust emissions can accumulate on and within equipment and conveyor systems, causing blockages, increasing wear and tear and the risk of system failures – and also requiring more time and money to clean and maintain your assets. Dust settling on moving conveyor belts, for example, can increase the risk of malfunctions, while dust coated machinery needs more downtime for cleaning. By binding fine particles to the material being transported, the need for cleaning plant is reduced, belt performance improves, and your downtime is reduced. This gives you cleaner and more productive equipment and also reduces the product volume lost to dust drift, preserving valuable materials throughout the mining process.
Safeguarding The Environment and Surrounding Areas
Dust emissions, if uncontrolled, can quickly spread to areas around your mine, where they can cause massive environmental damage. Mining emissions can contaminate soil and water tables, poison local plants, wildlife and farm produce, and cause air pollution for communities near your mining site. The most proactive approach to environmental management is to suppress this dust at its source and minimise emissions arising from your material handling systems. Unfortunately, traditional dust control methods, such as water sprinkling, can have unwanted side effects, such as the depletion of local water sources and soil erosion. We provide low-moisture dust control systems to maximise your dust suppression capabilities while minimising your environmental impact.
What System Is A Method Of Dust Control?
There are two main dust control strategies available to mining operators. These are:
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Water-based system – these systems use water to suppressed dust at critical areas with a misting or sprinkler system.
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Foam-based systems – these dust control systems use a chemical foam suppressant or sealant to bind or encapsulate material at dust prone areas and thereby prevent particulate from becoming airborne.
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Mining Dust Control Systems From Best Chem
Please get in touch with one of our specialists today to find out about our mining dust control systems and how we can help you improve air quality, safety, and compliance in your underground or open pit mine.
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