Recent advances in dust control technology on South African underground coal mines

Abstract

Despite the much-heralded arrival of the new millennium, improving mine health and safety remains an enormous challenge. Considerable progress with environmental (dust and methane) control in South African mines has indeed been made but it remains a matter of great concern to all parties, i.e. mine management, labor and the government. The introduction of the 1997 Directive on dust exposure and mine ventilation was a milestone for the South African coal mining industry in improving health and safety standards. These stricter guidelines and the latest dust control technologies are beneficial not only in the longterm health perspective, but also to in terms of controlling methane and coal dust explosions (high-risk) in the short term. Over the past two years, CSIR: Miningtek personnel developed new dust control systems through various Safety In Mines Research Advisory Committee (SIMRAC) funded projects and successfully implemented them in underground coal mines. Currently, it can be confidently claimed that the new and proven dust control systems are being effectively operated in more than 80% of the bord and pillar sections in South Africa. This paper highlights the critical components of the new dust control systems evaluated underground, viz., the half-curtain system, the retrofitted hood system, the double scrubber system and the integrated hood system for continuous miners, and the road header dust control system. The status of wet head dust control systems and the challenges facing high seam longwall mines are also presented in the paper. The relative effectiveness of various dust control systems are discussed and the relevant test results are given in the paper. It concludes with a discussion of the progress made and challenges facing the coal mining industry in reducing workers’ exposure to respirable dust.