ACARP ACARP ACARP ACARP
Open Cut

Modelling Fine-Particulate Dispersion over Short Time Spans from Open Cut Mining Activity

Open Cut » Environment

Published: July 02Project Number: C10035

Get ReportAuthor: Howard Bridgman, D Cohen, M Pickett | University of Newcastle, TUNRA, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation,

Emissions of dust, or particulate matter, into the atmosphere from various sources in the Australian environment are of considerable interest for health, environmental and aesthetic reasons. Particulate matter occurs in the atmosphere from two processes: direct release from a variety of surface sources (primary); and chemical reactions from gases and aerosols within the atmosphere (secondary). Surface sources produce mostly larger particles, and include industry, mining, volcanic emissions, agriculture, and wind-blown dust. Smaller particles are normally produced from a range of chemical reactions and from burning processes (NSW Mineral Council 2000). Ammonium sulfate is the most common secondary particulate in the atmosphere (King et al. n.d.).

Mining companies require accurate information about atmospheric dispersion of particulate matter from their operations for three reasons:

  • To assist in making air pollution management decisions for existing mines;
  • To help plan new developments; and
  • To help establish a beneficial relationship between the company and the community.

Such information is most appropriate over a 24-hour time span, a period over which mining companies can practically adjust their operations to minimise particulate emissions. The community is also most aware of particulate emissions on this time scale. While mines can measure 24-hour concentrations of TSP and PM10 at locations near the mine, these spot measurements cannot provide much information on the spatial distribution of particulate matter or the impacts of the dispersion on the community. In addition, spot concentrations do not distinguish between different possible sources of particulates.Proposed and existing mining operations therefore use models to estimate the spatial distribution of concentrations of, for example, PM10 from their activities. These models estimate yearly average PM10 adequately, but can often be seriously in error if applied to 24-hour time periods. Problems with the models are detailed in the final report.Regulators are increasingly expecting mining projects to predict short-term (24-hr) PM10 emissions, in response to increasing community concerns about episodic particulate pollution impacts. The inability of mining companies to properly predict short-term PM10 concentrations creates considerable uncertainty about the impacts of mining activities on the air quality in their immediate surroundings and in neighbouring communities.The major purpose of this Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) project is to develop a methodology to provide more accurate 24-hour spatial estimates of PM10 and PM2.5 around open-cut mining operations, by the application of existing proven dispersion models.

Underground

Health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives.

Recently Completed Projects

C34019Longwall Bretby Cable Handling Monitoring With Fibre Optics

This project examined the potential of using fibre optic sensing tec...

C27049Mine Machine Radar Sensor Integration

The aim of this project was to develop an integrated radar sensor an...

C29007Innovative Coal Burst System To Investigate The Influence Of Confinement Loss And Pre-Conditioning On Coal Burst Mechanism

The challenges associated with designing and operating a safe and pr...

Underground

Open Cut

Safety, productivity and the right to operate are priorities for open cut mine research.

Recently Completed Projects

C33035High Water Recovery, Low Cost Desalination Using PV-Powered Membrane Capacitive Deionisation (Mcdi)

Capacitive deionization is a robust, energy efficient and cost effec...

C28035Topsoil Deficits In Site Rehabilitation Accelerated Transformation Of Spoils To Functional Soils

The incorporation of commercial biological amendments (compost, worm...

C34036Tyre Handler Testing Rig Stage 2: Lifting Trials

Tyre handling is a major source of risk in surface mining operations...

Open Cut

Coal Preparation

Maximising throughput and yield while minimising costs and emissions.

Coal Preparation

Technical Market Support

Market acceptance and emphasising the advantages of Australian coals.

Recently Completed Projects

C34060In-Situ Investigation Of Coke Structure Formation Under Stamp Charged Coking Conditions

Stamp charged cokemaking has emerged as an effective technique to im...

C34062Improving The Classification Of Microstructure Distribution In Coke CT Images Using Deep Learning And Lineal Path Calculations

This project builds on a number of earlier projects that have helped...

C29071Source Of Variability Of Reactivity Of Coke In The CSR Test

The Coke Strength after Reaction (CSR) test is used worldwide to det...

Technical Market Support

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the production of coal.

Recently Completed Projects

C28076Selective Absorption Of Methane By Ionic Liquids (SAMIL)

This third and final stage of this project was the culmination of a ...

C29069Low-Cost Catalyst Materials For Effective VAM Catalytic Oxidation

Application of ventilation air methane (VAM) thermal oxidiser requir...

C23052Novel Stone Dust Looping Process For Ventilation Air Methane Abatement

This multi‐phase project is concerned with the mitigation of m...

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Low Emission Coal Use

Step-change technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C17060BGasification Of Australian Coals

Four Australian coals were trialled in the Siemens 5 MWth pilot scale ga...

C17060AOxyfuel Technology For Carbon Capture And Storage Critical Clean Coal Technology - Interim Support

The status of oxy-fuel technology for first-generation plant is indicate...

C18007Review Of Underground Coal Gasification

This report consists of a broad review of underground coal gasification,...

Low Emission Coal Use

Mining And The Community

The relationship between mines and the local community.

Recently Completed Projects

C16027Assessing Housing And Labour Market Impacts Of Mining Developments In Bowen Basin Communities

The focus of this ACARP-funded project has been to identify a number...

C22029Understanding And Managing Cumulative Impacts Of Coal Mining And Other Land Uses In Regions With Diversified Economies

The coal industry operates in the context of competing land-uses that sh...

C23016Approval And Planning Assessment Of Black Coal Mines In NSW And Qld: A Review Of Economic Assessment Techniques

This reports on issues surrounding economic assessment and analysis ...

Mining And The Community

NERDDC

National Energy Research,Development & Demonstration Council (NERDDC) reports - pre 1992.

Recently Completed Projects

1609-C1609Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

1301-C1301Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development...

Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development and Extraction Operations

0033-C1356Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals...

Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals - An Industry Handbook

NERDDC