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Underground mines have several occupational hazards, including airborne dust generated from various mining operations. Line-of-sight remote LHD mucking is adopted to draw the blasted muck from unsupported stopes in underground metalliferous mines. Investigation on particulate matter (PM) at remote operator location is crucial for assessing the operator exposure and devising appropriate dust control measures. This paper identi es the potential dust pollution hazard for remote LHD operator by simulating different mucking scenarios in open stope. PM generated due to mucking in a long-hole open stope by line-of-sight remote LHD during downcast air ow are measured using real-time aerosol spectrometers. The particulates concentration at upstream and downstream of dust source are analysed for various particle sizes including occupational dust types, such as alveolic and thoracic. The study revealed that the airborne dust concentrations of ≤10 μm, ≤5 μm, and ≤1 μm sizes in downstream, near the operator location, are measured 71.3%, 28.5%, and 3.0%, respectively. Moreover, the alveoli and thoracic dust fractions, respectively are determined 25.1% and 74.2%, in downstream and 48.9%, and 84.6%, in upstream total airborne dust concentration (311±246 μg/m3). The differential concentrations of 15.

Nowadays, mechanised scaling is extensively used in fully mechanised underground metalliferous mines (FMUMM) for removing potentially dangerous loose rocks from the mine roof and side walls. This study measures and analyses the generation and dispersion of airborne dust due to mechanised scaling operation by scaler in cross-cut (X-cut) drive of an underground mine using real-time aerosol spectrometers. The airborne dust is analysed in terms of the concentration of various size particles in total airborne dust (TAD). The analyses of different dust sizes, viz. ≤20 μm, ≤15 μm, ≤10 μm, ≤5 μm and ≤1 μm revealed that the per cent proportion of ≤1 μm and ≤10 μm varies from 2.6 to 22.4% and 60.5 to 88.3%, respectively, in the cross-cut. Moreover, the concentration proportions of alveolic and thoracic dusts in TAD during the 20-min retention time are assessed. This study can aid in developing safe re-entry periods and efficient dust control appliances.

Underground mines have several occupational hazards, including airborne dust generated from various mining operations. Line-of-sight remote LHD mucking is adopted to draw the blasted muck from unsupported stopes in underground metalliferous mines. Investigation on particulate matter (PM) at remote operator location is crucial for assessing the operator exposure and devising appropriate dust control measures. This paper identifies the potential dust pollution hazard for remote LHD operator by simulating different mucking scenarios in open stope. PM generated due to mucking in a long-hole open stope by line-of-sight remote LHD during downcast airflow are measured using real-time aerosol spectrometers. The particulates concentration at upstream and downstream of dust source are analysed for various particle sizes including occupational dust types, such as alveolic and thoracic. The study revealed that the airborne dust concentrations of ≤10 μm, ≤5 μm, and ≤1 μm sizes in downstream, near the operator location, are measured 71.3%, 28.5%, and 3.0%, respectively. Moreover, the alveoli and thoracic dust fractions, respectively are determined 25.1% and 74.2%, in downstream and 48.9%, and 84.6%, in upstream total airborne dust concentration (311±246 μg/m3). The differential concentrations of 15.0-20.0 µm, 10.0-15.0 µm 5.0-10.0 µm, and 0.23.0-5.0 µm are analysed, and empirical relations of these sizes in total airborne dust are established. Moreover, dilution of airborne dust at remote LHD operator location is studied. This study enhanced the understanding on exposure potential of harmful dust during remote LHD mucking in open stopes. Moreover, it emphasised adoption of tele-remote-operated LHD and automated mucking operation in open stopes.