Environmental propagation of noise in mines and nearby villages: A study through noise mapping

Abstract

Background:Noise mapping being an established practice in Europe is hardly practiced for noise management in India although it is mandatory in Indian mines as per guidelines of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). As a pilot study, noise mapping was conducted in an opencast mine with three different models; one based on the baseline operating conditions in two shifts (Situation A), and two other virtual situations where either production targets were enhanced by extending working hours to three shifts (Situation B) or only by increased mechanization and not changing the duration of work (Situation C).Methods:Noise sources were categorized as point, line, area, and moving sources. Considering measured power of the sources, specific meteorological and geographical parameters, noise maps were generated using Predictor LimA software.Results:In all three situations, Lden values were 95 dB(A) and 70–80 dB(A) near drill machine and haul roads, respectively. Noise contours were wider in Situation C due to increase in frequency of dumpers. Lden values near Shovel 1 and Shovel 2 under Situation B increased by 5 dB and 3 dB, respectively due to expansion of working hours. In Situation C, noise levels were >82 dB(A) around shovels. Noise levels on both sides of conveyor belts were in the range of 80–85 dB(A) in Situations A and C whereas it was 85–90 dB(A) in Situation B. Near crusher plants, it ranged from 80 to 90 dB(A) in Situations A and C and between 85 and 95 dB(A) in Situation B. In all situations, noise levels near residential areas exceeded the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) limits, i.e., 55 dB(A).Conclusions:For all situations, predicted noise levels exceeded CPCB limits within the mine and nearby residential area. Residential areas near the crusher plants are vulnerable to increased noise propagation. It is recommended to put an acoustic barrier near the crusher plant to attenuate the noise propagation.

Assessment on Environmental Quality Management of Coal Stockpile for Environmental Sustainability

“…Moreover, this method was previously used for dust impact management in Serbian mines. This was observed to be e cient, in order to reduce dust below the permitted standard [30,57].…”

“…Besides being very e cient, this method is also cheap in solving environmental noise problems [30,57]. In India, the noise mapping method was mandatory for use in coal mining, as recommended by the Tenth Conference on Safety in Mining [57]. This method should be carried out by using e cient and accurate computer modeling software.…”

Engineering noise control for mines: Lessons from the world

“…The Peterson (2018) proposed that research (Peterson, 2018) proposed that engineering controls require physical changes to the workplace, such as redesigning of equipment to eliminate noise sources and constructing barriers that prevent noise from reaching a worker. Manwar, Mandal and Pal (2016) carried out research which was based on using noise mapping as a measure obtained from the European mines to combat the noise dilemma. The findings of the research indicated that prediction of total amount of noise likely to be emitted by a mine can be used as a tool for understanding the type of noise measures to be taken to minimise the effects of noise on the miners and surrounding communities.…”

Study of Noise Effect of Slag Storage Technology on Surrounding Environment

“…Manwar, VD. [9] discussed noise mapping in Indian mines and proposed three different models: one based on baseline operating conditions in two shifts (Situation A) and two other virtual situations where production targets were improved either by extending the working hours to three shifts (Situation B) or only by increased mechanization and no change in the duration of work (Situation C). In all situations, the predicted noise levels exceeded the noise limits of the process plant in the adjacent residential area.…”