The control of dust resulting from mining operations is crucial to promote environmental sustainability, as the operations at EMM Resources involve the mining, transport and handling of vast amounts of material. The presence of dust occurs from the disturbance of fire particles derived from soil or rock. The dust from mining operations has the potential to induce environmental and health problems to the surrounding vicinity of a mine, including respiratory problems and loss of amenity for local residents. Furthermore, the emission of dust could possibly impact nearby flora and vegetation, as the presence of dust results in the smothering of flora, therefore leading to the reduction in photosynthesis because of the lack of sunlight penetration on the leaves and the blocking of the stomata.
Best practice management of dust emissions requires some measure of the level of impact of mining activities on dust levels in the surrounding environment, and the effectiveness of the controls that may be applied, therefore EMM Resources will implement various strategies that monitor dust emissions, and provide solutions to minimise the impact of dust emissions resulting from our mining operations.
Best practice management of dust emissions requires some measure of the level of impact of mining activities on dust levels in the surrounding environment, and the effectiveness of the controls that may be applied, therefore EMM Resources will implement various strategies that monitor dust emissions, and provide solutions to minimise the impact of dust emissions resulting from our mining operations.
Environmental Sustainability Strategy: Dust Monitoring System
EMM Resources have been in close partnership with ATMOS Australia, a leading research consultant organisation that specialises in atmospheric modelling and air quality forecasting, therefore providing EMM Resources with state of the art programs, and initiatives in the monitoring and reduction of dust particles, keeping our company one step ahead of the game in the control of air emissions. Dust monitoring programs are imperative when improving the success of dust control measures, as it helps understand particulate matter size, distribution and facilitates improvements to mining processes, for example, only blasting during certain wind conditions.
Implementation
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Example of a Dust Monitoring System
EMM Resources are proud to announce the implementation of ATMOS-5D (A5D), which is the world’s first global and site specific dust impact forecasting, control and management system. The software provides quantitative information on ambient dust levels, while also providing feedback on complex air quality risks associated with EMM Resource’s mining operations. The system functions in real-time, therefore providing mine operators rapid feedback if there is increasing dust levels, hence enabling a management response in the quickest possible time period. Furthermore, EMM Resources will also be implementing DustAlert+, which is an artificially intelligent dust impact early warning system, which has a support system for A5D, as it works interconnected with A5D, providing detailed early warnings for dust emissions that have the potential to affect sensitive receptors.
ATMOS-5D and DustAlert+ will be trialled within our mining operations, with ATMOS Australia specifically tailoring both systems to fit the mining operations at EMM Resources. Extensive training with our mine site team, in using the program, and interpreting its results will be provided in due course, before the systems are fully implemented into our operations.
ATMOS-5D and DustAlert+ will be trialled within our mining operations, with ATMOS Australia specifically tailoring both systems to fit the mining operations at EMM Resources. Extensive training with our mine site team, in using the program, and interpreting its results will be provided in due course, before the systems are fully implemented into our operations.
Evaluation
The evaluation of ATMOS-5D and DustAlert+, and the level of effectiveness these two programs bring to the company is difficult to quantify, as they are new innovations, with EMM Resources not having Dust Monitoring Systems prior to these new potential implementations. However, the evaluation can be at the start of using both programs, as we can see our current ‘Business As Usual’ mining operations, and how that creates dust generation, therefore the reduction in dust generation by the programs expert knowledge, monitoring and the systems evaluation and feedback about the current mining operations, and potential improvements can demonstrate the effectiveness of ATMOS-5D and DustAlert+ by ATMOS Australia.
Links to each of the dust monitoring software is below:
Links to each of the dust monitoring software is below:
Environmental Sustainability Strategy: Watering of dust-prone areas
EMM Resources will aim to minimise the presence of air particles resulting from mining operations. The main control options during mining, loading and dumping of resources are generally limited to dust suppression via watering, therefore various watering strategies will be implemented by EMM Resources to reduce the impact of dust.
Implementation
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Water Trucks watering stockpiles
EMM Resources will implement various watering strategies in combating the impacts of dust, these include:
- Water trucks and truck mounted water cannons will be used on resource piles, including stored topsoil deposits. Furthermore, atomised fixed sprinklers will be implemented along the mine transportation roads, therefore ensuring the main vehicle access routes are heavily watered.
- Chemical additives will be trialled and implemented to watering methods, as they increase the effectiveness of dust suppression, therefore potentially reducing the frequency of water application. EMM Resources will monitor and evaluate the best type of chemical bonding agent in field trials, then implement the most successful one into day to day operations.
- Road watering is an additional management strategy which will be implemented by EMM Resources. Through watering unpaved roads, specifically during construction, course particulate emissions can be greatly reduced. Furthermore, routes that have frequent vehicle movement will be sealed with bitumen, therefore reducing the amount of water used, while also reducing the amount of dust created.
Evaluation
EMM Resources will evaluate the effectiveness of watering main transportation routes, and stockpiles of resources in the reduction of dust generated it brings. There will be consistent monitoring of the success of this environmental sustainability strategy with monthly monitoring. Furthermore, periodic reviews will be undertaken, which aims to give recommendations, and find improvements, as here at EMM Resources, we believe that continuous improvement is paramount in an ever changing and expanding industry.
References
References ATMOS Australia. (2010). DustAlert+®: Artificial Intelligence Multi-factor Multi-parameter Dust Impact Early Warning System™ - Cognitive Dust Control and Dust Management. Retrieved from ATMOS Global Web site: https://www.atmosglobal.com/dustalert-dust-control-and-dust-management-system.htm
ATMOS Australia. (2012). ATMOS-5D+ ™: Integrated 5D Global and Site Specific Dust Impact Forecasting and Management Platform for Mine Haul Road Dust Control™. Retrieved from ATMOS Global Web site: https://www.atmosglobal.com/atmos-5d-mine-haul-road-dust-control.htm
Chevron Australia. (2010). Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Review and Management Programme for the Proposed Wheatstone Project. Chevron Australia.
Environment Australia. (1998). Best Practice Environmental Management in Mining: Dust Control. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from http://www.ret.gov.au/resources/Documents/LPSDP/BPEMDustControl.pdf
Essel Mining. (2013). Protecting the environment. Retrieved from Essel Mining Web site: http://www.esselmining.com/sustainability/sustainable_mining.html
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Particulate Matter (PM). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/pm/
ATMOS Australia. (2012). ATMOS-5D+ ™: Integrated 5D Global and Site Specific Dust Impact Forecasting and Management Platform for Mine Haul Road Dust Control™. Retrieved from ATMOS Global Web site: https://www.atmosglobal.com/atmos-5d-mine-haul-road-dust-control.htm
Chevron Australia. (2010). Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Review and Management Programme for the Proposed Wheatstone Project. Chevron Australia.
Environment Australia. (1998). Best Practice Environmental Management in Mining: Dust Control. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from http://www.ret.gov.au/resources/Documents/LPSDP/BPEMDustControl.pdf
Essel Mining. (2013). Protecting the environment. Retrieved from Essel Mining Web site: http://www.esselmining.com/sustainability/sustainable_mining.html
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Particulate Matter (PM). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/pm/