Global Road Technology provides effective quarry dust suppression solutions for different dust-generating operations that are integral to how a quarry works. These operations include but are not limited to: 

  • Blasting.
  • Drilling.
  • Haul roads. 
  • Stockpiling.
  • Transportation.
  • Loading and unloading.
  • Conveyor and transfer points. 

In this article, GRT provides a simple, introductory overview of the quarrying process and the role played by GRT products in achieving dust suppression in the dust generating quarry operations.   

Quarry Location and planning

Location of naturally occurring materials such stone, sand and gravel is determined by the local geology. A quarry must be located where these materials are and close to an efficient transport route. GRT provides quarry clients with a complete assessment of how the extractive supply chain would generate dust and which of their products would best work in the different scenarios. This enables efficient material delivery and at a low cost. Initially, this is what goes into thoughtful planning:

  • Submission is high quality and fit for purpose.
  • Quarry approval and its minimum legal requirements. 
  • Determination of best way to develop and manage quarry.
  • Abiding to stringent operational and environmental regulations.
  • Compliance with state and local government for clean and safe operations.
  • Operations that minimize any impact on the environment and local community.  

Extracting the rock

In an operational quarry, the process starts off by breaking off large chunks of rock from the quarry walls, usually through controlled blasting. The rock is then moved using loaders and trucks to a primary crusher. GRT offers the following dust suppression solutions during the extraction process:

  • GRT 12X – blast pattern dust control.
  • GRT DC Binder – drill cuttings produced by drill and blast activities.
  • GRT Haul-Loc – haul road dust control within the quarry site.

The primary and secondary crusher

The primary crusher reduces the overall size of the material to make it easier to process. This reduction in material generates fugitive dust particles which increases the risk of exposure to workers operating the equipment in the quarry site. The smaller size materials are then transported via a conveyor belt for further processing. GRT provides material handling dust suppression solutions making sure that dust is dealt with at its source without losing material to buoyancy on the conveyor belt bed. The critical point in terms of dust control is that water on its own have a limited effect. GRT: ACTIVATE was developed to greatly improve the performance of water used in crushing, conveying and transfer points.

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Transfer points and stockpiles

GRT recommends wet dust suppression systems (incorporating GRT: ACTIVATE) to target the airborne dust particles and material on the belt. The aggregate is then stockpiled and transported to concrete batch plants or local construction sites where it is required. GRT specializes in implementing stockpile dust control to manage short-term and long-term stockpiles which involves thoughtful planning as stockpiles are prone to wind erosion since they are constantly exposed to the environment. Stockpiles can be managed effectively with GRT: Soil-Loc, which can be simply dosed into water trucks onsite. 

Loading, carting and support areas

In and around the stockpiles and load out areas, GRT Haul-Loc dosed into the water trucks can be very effective in managing traffic generated dust – as it is for the haul roads. In loading trucks, GRT: ACTIVATE can be used in spray systems or in fogging units to manage dust by stripping any airborne contaminants out of the air before they are lost offsite. Quarries will also have other support and ancillary areas like workshops, storage yards and parking areas – GRT: Wet-Loc is the perfect, long-term solution for these areas..

In conclusion

Understanding how a quarry works enables preventative and corrective dust suppression. This is achieved through dealing with fugitive dust particles at their source and/or minimizing their buoyancy once their airborne. Speak to GRT General Manager, Daniel Grundy and let him provide you with fit for purpose dust suppression solutions that are unique to your quarries thoughtful planning. While you get the business running let GRT deal with quarry dust at its source. 

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References

Quarry. Retrieved 07/10/21.

The Quarry Story: The Story of How a Quarry Works. Retrieved 07/10/21. 

What is Quarrying? Retrieved 07/10/21.