Summary: Eco-friendly dust control solutions can offer a sustainable, cost-effective, and safer alternative for mining companies looking to transition to greener mining practices. With the increased pressure on the industry to reduce their environmental footprint, eco-friendly dust control solutions can benefit both the environmental and mining operations.
With 2024 in the rearview mirror behind us, we can now say with a degree of certainty that 2024 has been the warmest year1 in recorded history. Due to the immense impact that mining has on climate change and the environment, it is no surprise that the industry will continue to face increasing pressure in 2025 to improve sustainability and meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Many traditional mining processes, including dust control, will no longer be enough. This is where eco-friendly dust control solutions come into play – they can help you protect the environment, reduce operational costs (OpEx) and boost your sustainability credentials – all while keeping your workforce and surrounding communities safe.
The Truth about Dust in Mining
Dust is an inevitable byproduct of mining. Whether you are operating an open-pit mine or conducting materials processing, dust can pose serious environmental and health problems. Particulate matter generated during regular mining operations such as blasting, drilling, hauling, combined with the high volume of traffic can contaminate air, soil, and water sources, leading to:
- Health concerns for mine workers and local communities surrounding the mine sites. Prolonged exposure to any dust have been known to cause irritation to eyes, skin and respiratory tract and may lead to respiratory issues and lunch diseases such as silicosis, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis as well as pulmonary disease and lung cancer.
- Environmental degradation stemming from soil, air and water pollution
- Regulatory fines, loss of social license to mine and legal repercussions.
Given these impacts, it is important to note that how you choose to manage your dust can either enhance or derail your sustainability efforts. Traditional dust control methods – like using chemical and chloride-based suppressants or excessive water – can cause long-term environmental harm. Chlorides are notoriously hard to extra once they enter an ecosystem and excessive salination in water and soil can wreak havoc on full ecosystems for many years.
What is Eco-Friendly Dust Control?
Eco-friendly dust control refers to sustainable, non-toxic solutions that minimize the environmental impact of dust suppression in mining operations. (Eco-friendly dust control solutions do really exist!). Instead of relying on harmful chlorides or overuse of water, eco-friendly solutions such as the ones Cypher Environmental offers are designed to:
- Provide superior dust control without harming the environment. Cypher’s DUST/BLOKR® is able to provide a 90% reduction in airborne dust and has been used on haul roads, helipads and runways.
- Reduce GHG emissions, using a circular process of recycling and reusing product totes
- Reducing water usage and fuel consumption
- Minimize harm to wildlife and human health
Cypher Environmental’s DUST/BLOKR® is non-toxic, non-corrosive, organic and biodegradable, leaving no impact on the environment after application.
DUST/BLOKR’s unique formulation works by improving the road’s engineering properties and weatherproofing the road surfaces for both wet and dry conditions. DUST/BLOKR increases water resistance by helping shed water, resulting in a more stable road in wet conditions that does not get slippery.
Featured: How the Shenhua Beidian Shengli Open Pit Coal Mine in Inner Mongolia achieved an 85% reduction in water consumption after switching to DUST/BLOKR®. Learn more >
The takeaway is this – Eco-friendly does not have to mean sacrificing on performance. The two do not have to be mutually exclusive. Cypher Environmental’s solutions are proof that you can have a product that is effective without harming the environment.
Why a Sustainable Dust Control Solution is a Must Right Now for Mining Companies
As the call continues for increased ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards for the mining industry, adopting sustainable mining practices is no longer optional – it is imperative. Here is how eco-friendly dust control can play a pivotal role in your company’s ESG strategy:
Environmental Benefits
Mining companies have a massive environmental impact, but with the right dust control solutions, that impact can be reduced:
- Cleaner air: By controlling dust emissions with biodegradable or non-toxic alternatives, mining companies can improve air quality in mining regions, helping protect both workers and nearby communities.
- Water conservation: Eco-friendly dust control reduces the overuse of water, a critical resource in many mining operations.
- Soil protection: Eco-friendly soil stabilizers can help prevent soil erosion, protect vegetation and help maintain overall ecosystem health by keeping harmful chlorides from seeping into the soil.
Social Benefits
Environmental health is directly tied to public health, and in mining, communities are often the first to feel the effects of environmental neglect. Eco-friendly dust control:
- Protects community health: Less airborne dust means fewer respiratory issues for local populations.
- Improves worker safety: Better dust control measures mean fewer health risks for your workforce and improved visibility on roads, contributing to better productivity and lower medical costs.
Governance Benefits
Governments and regulators are tightening their grip on environmental standards, and mining companies that fail to comply could face severe penalties. By embracing eco-friendly dust control:
- Meet regulatory standards: Stay ahead of environmental compliance and ESG reporting requirements, increasing a company’s social license t mine.
- Build a trustworthy reputation: Bolster reputation with stakeholders, investors, and the general public.
- Attract investment: Sustainable companies are more likely to attract investors who value ESG performance.
Let’s Talk Costs: How Eco-Friendly Dust Control Can Help You Save Money
Adopting eco-friendly dust control is more than just a good move for the environment or a boost to your brand equity, it is a smart financial decision too. We have seen our customers experience:
- Enhanced Efficiency: Cypher Environmental’s eco-friendly dust control DUST/BLOKR® reduces road maintenance requirements as well as the need for frequent watering. Fewer maintenance vehicles on the roads mean reduced downtime and improved cycle times.
- Improved Worker Productivity: Cleaner air and a healthier workforce mean fewer sick days and higher on-the-job- productivity.
- Reduced Costs: by using an eco-friendly dust control product such as DUST/BLOKR®, mining companies can avoid fines and penalties while maintaining their social license to mine.
An additional benefit with Cypher’s DUST/BLOKR® eco-friendly dust control solution is that the product is shipped in a concentrated liquid form, reducing the cost of transporting the product as well as reducing the amount of emissions generated during transport.
The Time is Now: Make the Switch to Eco-Friendly Dust Control
There is no better time to transition to eco-friendly dust control. It is perhaps one of the easiest and most effective steps you can take towards a greener, more sustainable and more profitable operation. Eco-friendly dust control is no longer just a “nice-to-have” for the mining industry – it is a necessity. With rising environmental concerns, tightening regulations, and growing pressure from investors and stakeholders, the time to adopt sustainable dust control practices is now. By choosing eco-friendly solutions, you will improve your environmental impact, reduce costs, enhance your ESG performance, and secure the future of your mining operation.
Make the right choice – and make it now – for your company, your community and the planet!
References
- Climate Copernicus November 7th,2024: 2024 Virtually Certain to be the Warmest Year and First Year Above 1.5°C