Dust content in the air: A case study of the Afanasyevsky open pit mine (Russia)

Abstract

According to experts, the world consumption of mineral raw materials and the rocks extraction have reached about 12 and 100 billion tons per year, respectively. Overall Russian coal production accounts for 259.9 million tons (according to the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and the ‘Rosinformugol’ agency), metallic ores are estimated at 230 million tons, and building materials reach 1.4 billion tons. The overall growth in mineral production and capacity of ore producers cause an increase in the negative environmental impact of mining extraction and processing. It should be taken into account that due to the depletion of reserves of rich mineral raw materials, the volume of mined rock mass and the amount of processing waste of mineral raw materials increase. It results in the formation of mine dumps, consisting rocks, ore beneficiation wastes, ashes, slags, and sludge. Research data describe critical environmental situation within the mining enterprises, and especially mine dumps, as a result of massive dust emissions. In addition, there is a tendency to further environmental degradation, due to the increase in production capacity without complying with effective measures to reduce dust emissions. Considering the fact that fine particles are priority pollutants in the extraction and processing of mineral resources at mining enterprises, it is necessary to develop new environmentally efficient and economically viable methods of dust suppression.

Analysis of the Dust-Concentration Distribution Law in an Open-Pit Mine and Its Influencing Factors

“…The on-site dust monitoring data show that the seasonal changes in PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentration in Anjialing open-pit mine are consistent and conform to the general trend of atmospheric dust concentrations . It is found that the average dust concentration in summer and autumn is relatively low, the air quality is relatively good and the stability is relatively high; the dust concentration is always the highest in winter …”

“… 26 It is found that the average dust concentration in summer and autumn is relatively low, the air quality is relatively good and the stability is relatively high; the dust concentration is always the highest in winter. 27 …”

“…26 It is found that the average dust concentration in summer and autumn is relatively low, the air quality is relatively good and the stability is relatively high; the dust concentration is always the highest in winter. 27 Taking PM10 as an example, it can be seen in Figure 7 that the annual average PM10 dust concentration distributions are greatly affected by wind speed, wind direction, and the actual working conditions on-site. According to statistics from the Bureau of Meteorology, the wind direction in Pinglu District, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province is mostly northwesterly, and it can also be seen that the dust concentration in the eastern part of the mine is notably higher than in other areas.…”