Mining activities are indispensable for human development. It is one of the primary procedures implemented for extracting valuable minerals and resources from the earth. However, any form of mining activity is bound to generate a substantial amount of dust. Consequently, it poses serious health and environmental risks. Thankfully, with the advent of dust monitors people in the mining industry can now regulate the aforementioned risks to a great extent. Leading mining and blasting companies like https://osterman.com.au/environmental-monitors/dust-monitor are using these modern dust monitors while performing mining and blasting operations. Here is a detailed explanation of the role of these dust monitors.
Factors leading to dust generation during mining and blasting operations
Mining and blasting operations are introduced to involve the fragmentation of rocks and ores. When the operation is in progress it releases fine particles into the air. The emitted dust contains various items like coal dust, silica, and even metal particles. All these ingredients can have a detrimental effect on health when the workers involved in the project or the residents nearby inhales these particles. The harmful elements in the form of dust are capable of penetrating deep into the lungs leading to serious health conditions, most often referred to as “black lung disease”.
The above-mentioned fine particles also get released into the atmosphere and cause immense environmental pollution. For instance, when dust settles on nearby vegetation, water bodies, and residential areas, it affects the ecosystem adversely. Thus, for addressing all these issues, authorities have established rigid regulations and guidelines. Adhering to the guidelines could have become an impossible challenge without using modern-day dust monitors.
The functionality of dust monitors
Dust monitors, as you can understand, have become an integral aspect of the mining industry. It serves a wide array of purposes, and they are as follows:
- Health and safety: The primary reason for implementing dust monitors is to safeguard the health and safety of the miners and all other employees involved in the work. These dust monitors can regularly monitor dust levels, that too in real-time. By doing so, the person monitoring the dust monitor activities can identify potential hazards and take necessary action immediately to regulate dust exposure. Depending on the dust monitor readings, several measures can be taken, like adjusting the blasting techniques, measures to adopt dust suppression, and recommending issuing personal protective equipment (PPE) for the workers.
- Compliance with regulations: As mentioned before, modern-day mining and blasting operations are subject to rigorous environmental and occupational health regulations. With dust monitors continuously providing data, those involved in the work can ensure compliance with the given regulations. Those who fail to adhere to these standards during mining and blasting operations can find themselves facing legal consequences which can further lead to damaging the reputation of the company.
- Environmental protection: Since dust can have multiple detrimental effects on the environment, the role of dust monitors becomes even more noteworthy. By providing real-time data, mining companies can now prevent issues such as soil erosion, damage to vegetation, and contamination of nearby water bodies. To put it in simple words, dust monitors help in ensuring sustainable mining practices, which previously was not possible.
- Efficiency in using dust suppression techniques: Water sprays and other dust control agents are some of the common dust suppression methods. However, owing to the lack of data, previous mining companies were unable to use them accurately. Now with real-time data readily available, mining companies can promptly implement dust suppression measures.
- Data for decision-making: With the available data related to dust emissions, it helps miners to make more informed decision-making. The data lets them analyze dust concentration trends and patterns, and accordingly, mining companies can adjust their practices and successfully minimize dust generation while optimizing productivity.
Types of dust monitors
Depending on the need and stature of mining or blasting work, industry experts have come out with various types of dust monitors. Here are some of the notable ones:
- Real-time particle counters: As the name suggests, these monitors provide regular data on the concentration of airborne dust particles. These tools are generally used for analyzing the risks of employees in mining activities. It also helps mining companies to take up effective dust control measures.
- Gravimetric dust samplers: This variant efficiently collects dust particles on filters. Later, the person in charge weighs them for determining the concentration of dust particles in the air. It is one of the most widely accepted tools as it helps mining companies to adhere to the regulations related to environmental pollution made by local governing authorities.
- Light scattering instruments: It is one of the latest variants of dust monitors. As you can figure out from its name, it uses laser technology for measuring the concentration of dust particles in the air in real time. It is one of the best tools for measuring dust for both indoor and outdoor activities related to both mining and blasting.
Final Words
Dust monitors have solved several problems for mining companies. Most of the top companies are using these tools and as a result, have successfully managed to minimize both environmental pollution and the health risks for the employees involved in the project. It is surely one of the best tools that promote sustainable mining. We can look forward to newer and better dust monitors that can eventually negate the possibility of air pollution from mining activities.
