1. The Choices Available For Haul Road Dust Control
Haul roads are an essential part of any mining community, but they can produce their own
complications in the form of dust and debris being introduced into the environment. These roads
are rarely paved, and this means that vehicles travelling over them will often throw up mud and
dirt into the air. If the road is a gravel one, then there may also be small shards of stone put up
into the atmosphere too. This may be a severe problem, as the atmosphere becomes tainted, and
it can also cause damage to the road.
Why suppress haul road dust?
There are several reasons why it is a good idea to practice haul road dust control on roads that
have a tendency to become dusty. Firstly, there has been numerous health problems associated
with the increased amount of dust in the air, including asthma, eye irritation and skin problems.
General poor health may also be caused by the amount of debris sent into the air by truck
wheels. In addition, the impact of roads on excessively dry gravel roads can cause damage to the
roads themselves, making the ground more unstable, and increasing the chances that it will
continue to cause problems for drivers in the future. Lastly, the dust which is being thrown up
into the atmosphere will also cause some loss of visibility, particularly on dry days, when the
amount of dust in the air may render the roads dangerous to use. This is a serious problem
which requires immediate treatment.
How to combat haul road dust
The main ingredient to any haul road dust control product is liquid. This is designed to dampen
down the gravel, preventing the dust from rising up into the air. The water holds onto the dust,
keeping it in place and ensuring that it is not able to travel far. There may also be chemicals
included in the mixture which help to break up the dust, so that the toxic parts which are
2. causing breathing problems or health complaints, are held down. The liquid solution may also
be used with soil erosion products which prevent surface soil from being displaced to begin with,
limiting the amount of dust which is produced. These products can help to improve the visibility
and safety of the road, and also reduce tyre wear that reduces the effectiveness of the trucks.