Footwall and Sidewall Treatment
Underground tunnel surface wetting is a proven engineering dust control measure widely applied in South African mining operations to reduce airborne respirable dust. This method involves spraying water-based solutions, often combined with surfactants, hygroscopic salts or bitumen, onto the footwalls and sidewalls of underground tunnels. The purpose is to consolidate dust particles and prevent them from becoming airborne, thereby improving air quality and reducing the risk of occupational lung diseases such as silicosis.
At conventional mines, this practice is typically executed using spray cars pulled by underground locomotives, which apply the dust control solution efficiently across target areas. The effectiveness of this method depends on two key principles:
- Spraying of an effective water-based solution with appropriate binding or dust-settling agents.
- Planned application schedule to ensure consistent and sustained dust control coverage.
As part of an integrated dust management strategy, underground surface wetting supports the Zero Harm objective by minimising workers’ exposure to hazardous dust in confined mining environments.
-
Footwall and Sidewall Treatment
- 2016-06-09
- 1.45 MB Size