Reynolds Soil Technologies - Dust Control and Water Saving Solutions

Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) is an Australian owned company, which specialises in dust control and water saving solutions for the mining industry. Using their own water-soluble products and proven systems, RST evaluates each unique circumstance and provides site specific solutions to environmental issues relating to erosion, dust, soil stabilisation, soil moisture retention and water sedimentation.

RST adds value for clients through efficient on-site technical support. Our experienced technical team advises and works alongside site personnel to implement solutions under a controlled management system. These solutions, whilst adhering to environmental management guidelines, are designed to optimise results in terms of improved site conditions, ongoing soil and water saving practices and cost-effectiveness.

Haul road dust control and water saving

RST implements a range of technologies for dust control in different circumstances. These include haul road, stockpile, car park, conveyor and transfer dust. Haul roads are dusty by nature, and suffer continual spillage. Also, they are required to withstand massive loads and varying vehicular traffic.

Haul roads are often over-watered as a method of dust control. As water does not effectively penetrate the surface this results in slurry, runoff and slipperiness. This, along with continual grading, takes its toll on the integrity of the road surface. A poor road-condition together with over-watering creates problems of excessive water usage, risks to driver safety, increased road maintenance, increased vehicle maintenance and excess tyre wear, which in turn affect overall production costs.

The RST haul road management system

RST's Haul Road Management System (HRMS) is a proven system which combines unique dust control products with strategies, equipment modifications, training programs and monitoring methods designed to improve haul-road effectiveness.

To combat haul-road dust RST apply RT9 water extender and dust suppressant into the water carts to make the water used to water haul-roads work much more effectively, allowing better penetration rates as well as binding together fine dust particles.

Our Haul Road Management System (RT9) is used to reduce dust emitted from haul roads, improving road conditions and lowering water requirements by up to 40%.

RST stockpile dust control

There are two types of stockpile, a static stockpile and mobile stockpiles. Each type has its own solution, for which RST has developed a product. In some instances, a combination of both technologies may be required.

The first method of stockpile dust control is veneering the surface of the stockpile with our crusting agent Total Ground Control (TGC). TGC is used on static stockpiles and generally, these stockpiles remain in tack for some time. TGC is simply diluted with water and sprayed over the stockpile. It can last for up to 18 months and can be reapplied as required.

RT40 dust suppressant

The second treatment sprays water droplets equal in size to the offending dust particles. Once the spray system is set up we inject RT40 Conveyor Belt and Transfer Point Dust Suppressant into the water being sprayed over the stockpile. RT40 allows the water to 'wet out' the fine dust particles and creates a short term crusting effect.

Conveyor and transfer point dust suppressant

The control of dust on conveyor belts and at transfer points requires the implementation of a mechanical spray nozzle system and an additive to make the water perform more effectively. Once the spray nozzle system is designed and installed ensuring that the nozzles atomise the water droplets to the same size as the dust particles, and this ensures the water and dust particles collide rather than move past each other. An additive can then be implemented to improve the effectiveness of the water spray.

RT40 Conveyor Belt and Transfer Point Dust Suppressant allow the water to attach to the dust particle more readily and it will agglomerate the fine particles of dust into larger masses making the heavier settling faster.