Dust Suppression South Africa

Different wet dust suppression products are utilized in South Africa – water, bitumen emulsions, polymers, surfactants, lignosulfonates, molasses, hygroscopic salts and brines, and synthetic fluids. Most of these products are applicable in the mining, quarrying, and non-mining industries such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. The following dust suppression regulations govern the health and safety of workers in South Africa:

• Mine Health and Safety Act (no. 29 of 1996)?
• Occupational Health and Safety Act (no. 85 of 1993)

Dust suppression in mines

Dust suppression in the mining sector is monitored and enforced by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Dust is generated from fixed plant and mobile plant activities of open cut and underground mining in the following areas:?

• Haul roads
• Low volume roads
• Dead and live stockpiles
• Conveyor belt and transfer points
• Transportation

?The Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) is a national public entity (Schedule 3A) established in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act, No 29 of 1996, as amended. It consists of a tripartite board represented by the state, employer, and employee members under the chairmanship of the Chief Inspector of Mines. The MHSC has set milestones to eliminate silicosis by December 2024 with 95% of all exposure measurement results to be below 0.05 mg/m3 of respirable crystalline silica occupational exposure limit. For individuals that entered the mining industry in 2009, the MHSC set targets that no new cases of will occur using present diagnostic techniques.

Dust suppression companies in South Africa

Different dust suppression companies provide a variety of wet dust suppression solutions in South Africa and these chemical palliatives providers are:

• Dust-A-Side
• Bind-X
• Industco
• Benmarc
• EcoZyme
• DustAct (Mine Dust Specialists)
• Cypher Environmental Ltd
• Soil and Dust Solutions
• Soil Solutions
• BKB Dust Suppression Solutions
• Tekfalt Binders
• I-CAT
• Afrizymes
• Sappi

Future of dust suppression in South Africa

The future of dust suppression in South Africa is ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’. The tide is turning on sustainability requirements from different mining and non-mining clients, the pre-requisite for suppliers would be to provide sustainable dust suppression solutions to meet the standards of the different industries. In principle, environmentally friendly will not only be a ‘buzz’ word but there will be requirements to scientifically prove how the dust suppression product is environmentally friendly from product development to post-use as a dust suppressant. Dust suppression suppliers should reevaluate their product portfolios and go full circle on all the different aspects of their products and the contribution to sustainability reporting for their clients.

Keith N. is a freelance technical writer that is passionate and enthusiastic about health and safety, sustainability, networking, and finding synergy through conversations. Let's keep talking - [email protected]