Key challenges

Dust

Photo: Douw Botha in front of the Lydenburg dust extractor

Douw Botha in front of the Lydenburg dust extractor

Continuous exposure to high levels of dust can lead to occupational illnesses such as pneumoconiosis. It is, therefore, imperative for the health of our employees that we effectively manage dust across our operations and closely monitor our employees' exposure to dust. Dust management is a particular issue for employees in underground mining operations, due to mining processes and engineered ventilation throughout the underground workings.

Our dust management programmes are developed in accordance with Xstrata's Occupational Health and Hygiene Standard. Employees and contractors are monitored on a regular basis at every operation, in addition to workplace surface and underground monitoring. Typical dust abatement initiatives include:

  • improved ventilation;
  • air-conditioned cabins for underground mining equipment and vehicles;
  • various dust suppression processes such as continuous miner sprays and road surface treatment;
  • occupational hygiene awareness programmes; and
  • enhanced respiratory protection.

The case study highlights leading practice dust management at Beltana highwall mine in New South Wales.

In 2005, our Queensland coal, copper and zinc-lead operations participated in a major study into diesel particulate matter (DPM). Instigated by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water and carried out by the Queensland Government's safety in mines, testing and research group (Simtars), samples of diesel particulate matter were collected from all underground metalliferous and coal mines in the state. Xstrata employees' exposure levels were found to be within accepted international standards. Diesel particulate awareness and monitoring programmes are in place at Australian coal operations and where possible all sites aim to switch to low-sulphur fuel for their underground mining equipment to further minimise exposure.