Effective Methods For Controlling Mineral Dust In Mines

The control of mineral dust in Australian mining and construction is an ongoing issue and if not adequately catered to can pose threats to workplace health, onsite safety, productivity and environmental concerns. While the legislative requirements around dust control vary from state to state, the health issues remain the same. Therefore air quality governed by both state and commonwealth is strongly regulated for quality and protective measures. The dust emissions can be the repercussion of various factors such as; heavy vehicle movement on unpaved haul roads, unfavourable weather conditions such as strong wind and water erosion on mining waste and storage deposits including, tailings, ash dams, overburden, batters or stockpiles.

Although short-lived and requiring reapplication within 2- 12 hours, companies are still using the traditional methodology of water carts to combat onsite dust issues. Due to Australia’s drought-affected areas becoming increasingly dryer and extensively barren, resources are becoming limited, and as a result, companies are looking for sustainable approaches that meet the 21st-century expectation on high-performance dust control solutions.

Spray Grass Australia (SGA) has understood the need to provide innovation and scientifically engineered solutions, designed to combat nationwide dust-related concerns. The following common mine-site issues will show you how our environmental solutions will meet the expected standards of today. With mine site-specific and certified plant and equipment, we have the capabilities to provide a fully functional service that allows for results that will exceed your expectations.

Issue 1: Heavy Vehicle Traffic Roads
Product Option: RoadBond®
Providing movement to a vast number of projects sites among many industry applications, haul roads start at the loading face and end at the dump location. They are a vital part of construction, mining and civil industries; however the impact of heavy traffic on haul roads can be detrimental to the environment. Traditional methods include: daily water application to the affected areas, which require re-application every 2- 12 hours and crushed gravel rock laid out on the surface continues to produce a portion of airborne dust particles and requires frequent maintenance.

If you would like to consider a more effective and sustainable solution that exceeds traditional methods, then take a further look into RoadBond®; Erizon’s® superior dust suppressant designed specifically for haul roads, allow for up to 6 months of protection by permeating onto individual particles of dust and weighing them down, so they are unable to be blown away.

Benefits:

• Reduces overall maintenance costs
• Reduces dust immediately
• Increases road stability
• Environmentally compliant
• Reduces tyre wear

Issue 2: Ash | Tailings DamsProduct
Options: SuppressX® / FibreLoc® / HydroBond®
Ash or tailings storage facilities (TSF) are common properties in mining operations, designed to store waste by-product. In utilising these storage facilities, there are obligations placed on-site management to ensure that they remain stable and don’t produce detrimental effects on the environment. When a TSF is in intermission stage for some time, it does begin to dry out and can cause extreme dust issues. Due to the high-risk compression ability of the surface, it is not recommended for vehicles to pass over the area, therefore making it difficult for many companies to eliminate the dust effectively. SGA has the mine site-specific plant and equipment along with the capabilities to fulfil the requirements necessary to eliminate dust in these high-risk areas successfully.

Option 1: SuppressX®
If the TSF is temporary without use, the SuppressX® dust suppression solution will be the best option. Designed explicitly for non-trafficked areas, it eliminates dust lift-off after one single application. SuppressX® is designed with Inbuilt water-soluble polymers and is engineered to penetrate the substrate below, forming an interconnected flexible crust while binding to the fine particles and granules to eliminate dust. This solution acts as a protective barrier skin over the substrate below to provide superior dust control and erosion protection.

Benefits:

• Also suitable for all forms of exposed stockpiles, substrates, minerals
• Forms a strong, durable and flexible crust
• Withstands moderate to extreme rain events
• Non-toxic and environmentally friendly

Option 2: FibreLoc®
If your TSF is expected to be inactive for an extended period, however, maintains the possibility of being used at a later stage, then our high-intensity FibreLoc® dust suppression solution is our product of choice. Specifically, purpose-built for areas where unpredictable and harsh weather conditions contribute to dense dust erosion issues, which can rapidly become a health hazard. The unique construct is made up of interlocking wood fibres incorporated by stronghold environmentally-friendly binders to form a flexible yet sturdy blanket, aimed to withstand erosion, unpredictable and varying weather conditions.

Benefits:

• Designed to withstand harsh weather such as wind and rain
• Deigned for sustainable longevity
• Environmentally friendly

Option3: HydroBond®
If a TSF is approaching the rehabilitation period, SGA would recommend our HydroBond® solution exclusively design for revegetation. The engineered capability of the solution penetrates and binds to most soil and sand types, while the unique matrix structure ensures that the soil remains permeable to air and water. HydroBond® helps the substate to maintain increased water retention which allows for enhanced growth by promoting faster germination of seeds for revegetation.

Benefits:

• Most effective when applied through hydroseeding equipment
• Cost-effective & environmentally friendly
• Can be applied with a choice of colour
• Promotes faster germination with seed protection
• Can be supplied with or without mulch

Issue 3: Overburden / Batters
Product Options: Enviro Pro / EnviroLoc®
Overburden and batters are part and parcel with any mining operation; however, it can cause extensive dust and erosion issues if not properly maintained. As a regulatory component to vegetation and as a part of the ongoing rehabilitation phase, hydroseeding and hydromulching are considered to be viable options to meet these obligations successfully. SGA has engineered the following solutions that will be able to cater to your environmental requirements.

Option 1: Hydroseeding – EnviroSprout™
Hydroseeding is often the first method considered when looking for revegetation to solve dust and erosion control issues. Although using water as a carrier to apply seeds and fertiliser onto the seedbed, it is essential to note that this is different from hydromulching. Our specially designed hydroseeding equipment allows the operator to agitate the mixture to ensure even and constant mixing of ingredients, maximising erosion protection and soil stabilisation

EnviroSprout™ is a product that represents a scientifically advanced way to revegetation, compared to traditional methods. Tailored solutions are also designed to reach difficult low access baring areas such as batters and overburden

Benefits:

• Contains added microbes responsible for driving nutrients and root formation for sustainable vegetation growth
• Contains added binder for short term stabilisation
• Backed by science
• Cost-effective
• Environmentally friendly

Option 2:  Hydromulching Enviro Pro / EnviroLoc®
Hydromulching is similar to hydroseeding; however, it adds a fibre-mulch to the mixture of seed, fertiliser, and water. The mulch essentially provides a safeguard for the seed, helping it retain moisture for faster germination and growth while protecting the soil from erosion and the seeds from washing away in the rain. These organic mulch fibres are designed to degrade over several months, making way for vegetation growth.

There are often two types of Hydromulching solutions that we offer depending on a substantial degree of variables suited to the soil substrate – these include:

Enviro Pro – Hydromulching GHM (Hydraulic Growth Mediums)
Hydromulching HGM-EnviroPro for hydromulching projects is a high-quality mulch comprising Australian-tested growth mediums such as Hydraulic Growth Mediums (HGM). With water used as a carrier, EnviroPro combines the benefits of biologically active soil conditioners and fertilisers with the perfect blend of organic mulch fibres, binders and, soil stabilisers to supporting native growth to thrive.

Benefits:

• Increased erosion protection
• Provides more soil cover
• Provides improved plant germination due to 50% higher water retention capabilities
• Long fibres ensure there is no reduction in infiltration and air exchange
• Assists in suppressing weed growth
• Environmentally friendly containing non-toxic recycled and biodegradable materials

EnviroLoc® – Hydromulching BFM (Bonded Fibre Matrix)
Primarily a heavy-duty growth medium, BFM employs a combination of two passes over the surface area. The first step involves a mixture of water, seed, and amelioration being applied onto the surface to ensure sufficient seed-to-soil contact. The second step consists of spraying cellulosic mulch and proprietary binder and tackifier at a high application rate to ensure erosion effectiveness. BFM’s viscous bonding agent dries to form a protective skin over the treated surface area, while interlocking fibres work to retain a high level of moisture, promoting an ideal growing environment.

Benefits:

• Provide increased performance in comparison to standard hydromulching solutions
• Provides increased erosion protection
• Provides enhanced soil cover
• Provides improved plant germination due to higher water retention
• Long fibres ensure there is no reduction in infiltration and air exchange
• Environmentally friendly containing non-toxic recycled and biodegradable materials

If you would like to learn more about our products and services, speak with the team today.