Cooee Products - DustBloc Dust Control

Based in Queensland, Australia, Cooee Products is a manufacturing company serving the mining industry, with a strong emphasis on research and development. Recent research has focused on the modification of bitumen emulsions, so that they are readily soluble with water. The creation of these modified emulsions has led to a number of innovative techniques for adding bitumen to road materials.

DUSTBLOC: DUST SUPPRESSION

DustBloc is an innovative dust-suppression product, proving itself in the mining and construction industries both throughout Australia and worldwide. DustBloc is a stable emulsion of bitumen in water, made with a number or several special additives which enable it to penetrate into a range of road materials. These include crushed rock, crushed ores and clay-based materials.

HAUL ROAD DUST-SUPPRESSING LIQUID

DustBloc is a non-hazardous liquid, which can be dispersed at ratios greater than 1:40 into water for spraying onto haul roads. It will mix easily with all types of water, including hard, salty or dirty water that may be available onsite.

As the water is absorbed into the road, the microspheres of bitumen are released to bind fine materials in the road together. This effectively reduces dust generation by eliminating the need for water as a binding agent.

Instead of running multiple water sprays during the course of daily operations, a single application of DustBloc in water may be all that is required. Successive applications of DustBloc increase the effectiveness of dust suppression by building up the levels of bituminous products in the surface and body of the road. After a period of use, the frequency of DustBloc application can be reduced.

There is no need for road closure when applying DustBloc because roads are trafficable within minutes of application. As water use is decreased dramatically, roads are not constantly wet and slippery, which improves safety.

WATERPROOF DUST SUPPRESSION

DustBloc is not water soluble after application and is not impacted by rain or subsequent water spray, with the bitumen remaining in the surface. Roads treated with DustBloc are less impacted by rain, as the DustBloc effectively consolidates road materials. Roads can be rapidly re-opened after light rain or flooding.

This binding effect and lower water usage leads to a reduction in grading maintenance, resulting in increased productivity. DustBloc is also effective for dust suppression of stockpiles, parking and handling areas, and in regeneration zones, again without the need for specialised application equipment or procedures.

DustBloc is safe to handle, store and apply, as well as being safe for the environment (as it is not washed from the application areas).

ENVIRONMENTAL DUST SUPPRESSION

DustBloc is beneficial to the environment in the following ways:

• Safe to users and the environment
• All ingredients are non-toxic
• DustBloc is classified as non-hazardous according to Worksafe Australia
• DustBloc contains water and is further diluted with water during use
• Hydrocarbon leach tests conducted on the treated areas showed zero leaching
• Reduced water usage and as a consequence less truck usage