Air Quality Management in Mining Areas

To minimize dust generation, wet drilling is practiced. Drill machines are also fitted with dust suppression system. More and more use of surface miners/BWEs minimizes the requirement of drilling and blasting and thus the pollution load. Periodical maintenance of vehicles is carried out as per Manufacturer’s standards to minimize the emissions.

Fig. Surface Miner with water jets, Gevra OCP, SECL
Fig. Surface Miner with water jets, Gevra OCP, SECL
Drill Machine
Fig.Drill Machine with dust extractors

Dust suppression systems are installed at loading, transfer and unloading points in mines. Additionally, water-spraying systems for arresting fugitive dust in washeries, CHPs, Feeder Breakers, Crushers, belt conveyors, haul roads and coal stock areas are installed.

Fig. Air pollution control measures Nigahi OCP, NCL
Fig. Air pollution control measures Nigahi OCP, NCL
Fig. Feeder Breaker with Mist Spraying Arrangements at Gevra OCP, SECL
Fig. Feeder Breaker with Mist Spraying Arrangements at Gevra OCP, SECL

All roads connecting mines, CHP’s, workshops and colonies have been black topped to prevent dust from becoming airborne.Mist spray systems have been introduced and the trucks are being covered by tarpaulin. Fog canon, wheel washing system, mechanical road sweepers etc. are being deployed for control of air pollution.

Black topped road
Fig.Black topped road
Automatic Truck Washing System in Umrer Area, WCL
Fig.Automatic Truck Washing System in Umrer Area, WCL

       

Fig. Fog canon for dust suppression at Nigahi OC of NCL
Fig. Fog canon for dust suppression at Nigahi OC of NCL

        

Fig. Road sweeping Machine in NCL
Fig. Road sweeping Machine in NCL

        

Fig. High efficiency Water Sprinkler
Fig. High efficiency Water Sprinkler

       

Fig. Automatic Truck Washing System in Umrer Area, WCL
Fig. Automatic Truck Washing System in Umrer Area, WCL

Coal companies are launching the projects of First Mile Connectivity (FMC Projects) aimed to replace the system of convention loading & road transport with rapid mechanized loading system with transport through Rail/MGR/Conveyors/tube conveyor network. Some of the projects have already been completed and others are in pipe line.In first phase, CIL is to commission 35 FMC Projects envisaged to handle 565 MTY coal by 2023-24. These projects are not only minimizing air pollution but also results in substantial reduction in carbon footprint.

Nigahi OC of NCL: Closed Belt Conveyor System and then rapid loading system
Fig.Nigahi OC of NCL: Closed Belt Conveyor System and then rapid loading system
Krishnashila OC of NCL: Belt Pipe Conveyor
Fig.Krishnashila OC of NCL: Belt Pipe Conveyor

Dust generation from the OB dump due to wind is controlled significantly by planting grasses on slopes and plants on dump top soon after their formation. Avenue plantation is raised along roads for dust control. Plantation is done around the quarry and OB dumps, which serves as a barrier to prevent the dispersion of air borne dust. Wind screens have been created to restrict the movement of dust within a limited area.

Fig. Wind screen at Phulbasia Siding, Magadh Area, CCL
Fig. Wind screen at Phulbasia Siding, Magadh Area, CCL
Green Belt along roads
Fig.Green Belt along roads

The ambient air quality in and around coal mines is routinely monitored as per statutory stipulations and their results are shared with regulatory agencies. Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) have also been installed in opencast mines which are connected to SPCB websites for real time monitoring of Ambient Air Quality Parameters. Additional pollution control measures are undertaken, if required, to bring the air quality level within permissible limits.

Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) at Nigahi OC
Fig. Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) at Nigahi OC

With various emission control and mitigative measures in place, the standards of ambient air quality in and around mining areas are maintained within the prescribed limits.

Air Quality Data
Fig. Air Quality Data
Air Quality Data
Fig. Air Quality Data
Air Quality Data
Fig.Air Quality Data
Air Quality Data
Fig. Air Quality Data