Airborne dust emissions are a prevalent issue within the mining and infrastructure sector and have become a lengthy battle to confine and eliminate them successfully.

We understand that there is great responsibility placed on onsite management to ensure that an optimum moisture profile (OMP) strategy is in place to prevent substrate surfaces from being too wet or too dry. For example, overwatering a haul road surface can result in a significant decrease in the strength and support of the road, loss of traction and erosion, which can lead to a range of safety hazards. Equally, a surface that is too dry can create an increase in dust, loss of sediment and wash boarding.

This regulated process requires careful consideration; however, it is not always clear on what the best approach to achieve this is, due to the number of dust suppression treatments available on the market. First and foremostly, it is necessary to seek advice from an environmental consultant for expert advice and a comprehensive soil assessment, which will help underpin a stable solution. In some instances, ‘surface crusting’ or ‘wetting reagents’ may be referred to as a solution to solve your site issue. The following information will provide essential information about these dust suppression terminologies, and ensure that you have an educated understanding of their properties before committing to a solution.


Wetting Vs Crusting

Wetting
When referring to a wetting agent, you’re treating loose soil and aggregate with a water-insoluble liquid to mimic waters properties while removing the evaporation cycle. The artificially increased moisture content reduces or eliminates wash boarding, loss of fine particles and improves the air quality. Wetting dust suppressants should work to create a continuous reworkable solution that coats dust particles and weighs them down.

Primarily wetting agents are used for dust suppression in high-trafficked areas that have unsealed areas such as haul and access roads. They are not impacted by the extreme shear force that tracked vehicles, skid-steers and forklifts exhibit. Unfortunately, this form of dust suppression is continuously required and can become an expensive exercise over time.

Dust Suppression Australia does offer a longer-term solution for high trafficked areas, referred to as RoadBond, designed to create a durable substrate suitable for large industrial equipment to use without causing dust emissions.  


Crusting
Dust suppressants that function based on their ability to form a durable crust are designed to stabilise the area by penetrating the substrate below. This reaction occurs upon hydraulic application whereby the solution creates an interconnected flexible coating that binds to the fine particles and granules to eliminate dust without changing the overall composition of the soil and aggregate beneath. The polymers form a stable layer of bonding materials resistant to the erosive forces of wind and rain while eliminating dust lift-off.

Crusting agents work to seal and keep water out of the substrate below, preventing OMP levels from exceeding optimal quantities. Dust suppressants that feature crusting characteristics are best suited to all forms of tailings dams, ash dams, stockpiles and substrates that require dust abatement treatment.

Dust Suppression Australia are here to help you understand your dust issues. We will successfully ensure that planning and preparation for your site is met the first time. Speak with our dedicated team today to discuss how we can help your next project – click below for a consultation.