Dust-A-Side - Dust Control Management Systems

Dust-A-Side (DAS) is a South African ISO 14001:9001 (certified by NQA) compliant company operating in the global mining industry. DAS provides a continuous dust control management system and has channelled more than 30 years' experience into developing a best practice system to control dust.

Continuous dust control management system

DAS's dust control management system consists of a range of environmentally friendly dust-binding products, with a comprehensive stabilisation and continuous maintenance programme. It is successfully used throughout the world in underground and surface mining operations at iron, coal, platinum, gold, diamond, copper, zinc and nickel mines.

DAS products have been tested by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

Heavy-duty dust control management system

The Dust-A-Side product is a heavy-duty bonding agent that has been applied in the mining industry with great success for the past three decades. After application, haul roads and other dust-bearing surfaces are dust and mud-free.

Dust control system process

The proper preparation of any untreated surface ensures a functional, safe, efficient, dust-free road surface. Following profiling to specification, the prepared surface is ripped and mixed with the Dust-A-Side product.

Once the DAS road has been established, the maintenance system ensures a sustainable dust-free haul road under DAS's supervision.

Dust control system advantages

The dust control system has the following benefits:

• No environmental dust
• Health benefits for personnel and surrounding communities
• Greater safety performance
• Savings of 90% in water use (no water reticulation required); 60% reduction in the water spraying fleet
• Improvement in tyre life – 8% and a reduction in rolling resistance
• Quicker hauling times, better visibility and therefore increased production
• Suitable for all weather
• Roads open to traffic during construction; quick and easy to repair

High-pressure mist systems for dust control

DAS's mist systems are an effective method for dust suppression and abatement, and air filtration. When properly designed and installed, the DAS mist system produces a high concentration of 10µm fog droplets. The size of the water droplets (ten millionths of a metre in diameter) provides optimum performance for the attraction and suppression of PM 10 and smaller dust particles.

The system can effectively remove breathable and fugitive dust suppression from 0.1µm to 1,000µm. Dust surrounded by dense fog has little chance to escape. Because of the high standard of quality and industry experience, the DAS mist system meets or exceeds the EPA PM 10 standards for dust suppression. Whether for construction sites with temporary air quality problems, or for permanent dust abatement concerns, the DAS mist system is custom-designed to effectively eliminate airborne emission control issues.

Dust suppression mist system applications

DAS's mist systems are typically used for asbestos abatement, coal dust suppression, quarries and rock crushing equipment, grain, silos, slag works, conveyor belt drop points, and in construction and land development sites.

Environmentally friendly dust control system

Aqua Tarp is a natural resin emulsion encrusting agent, formulated to penetrate and bind soil, coal and other particles to prevent dust drifting and dust liberation from occurring. Aqua Tarp binds surface particles on goods in transit on rail trucks to prevent dust particles being released into environmentally friendly areas.

Wetting agent for mine dust control

HydroPlus acts as a wetting agent, increasing the wetting ability of water on particles. A finer water droplet is obtained by reducing the surface tension of the water, thus increasing the surface coverage. The result is that more dust is removed per volume of water as opposed to spraying of water without HydroPlus.

Non-flammable underground dust control product

Stopseal is a non-flammable, water-based, bitumen emulsion used for sealing off ventilation walls and air crossings, as well as in the sealing of evaporation dams. It is used in combination with a membrane to seal off areas where airflow leakage and waterproofing problems occur. Stopseal is suitable for underground use and results in up to 80% improvement in air utilisation.

Respirable dust control for haul roads

HydroTac is a binder specifically formulated to control fugitive dust and is used on haul roads, storage piles and material-handling transfer points. HydroTac is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and does not contain corrosive chloride compounds or waste oils.

HydroTac solutions are effective at reducing dust. Gravel loss and road maintenance is reduced when HydroTac is used on haul roads. HydroTac is easy to apply and no specialised equipment is required for application. Traffic on roads can be resumed immediately after application.