Throughout the mining and processing of minerals, the mined ore undergoes a number of crushing, grinding, cleaning, drying, and product sizing operations as it is processed into a marketable commodity. These operations are highly mechanized, and both individually and collectively these processes can generate large amounts of dust. If control technologies are inadequate, hazardous levels of respirable dust may be liberated into the work environment, potentially exposing workers. Accordingly, federal regulations are in place to limit the respirable dust exposure of mine workers. Engineering controls are implemented in mining operations in an effort to reduce dust generation and limit worker exposure.
This handbook represents a successful collaborative effort by government and industry in protecting the health of U.S. mine workers. The two principal partnerships active in creating this handbook were between the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Industrial Minerals Association–North America (IMA-NA). The mission of the NIOSH OMSHR is to eliminate mining fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through research and prevention, while the IMA-NA is the representative voice of companies that extract and process the raw materials known as industrial minerals. This handbook was written by a task force of safety and health specialists, industrial hygienists, and engineers to provide information on proven and effective control technologies that lower workers' dust exposures during all stages of minerals processing. The handbook describes both the dust-generating processes and the control strategies necessary to enable mine operations to reduce workers' dust exposure. Implementation of the engineering controls discussed can assist mine operators, health specialists, and workers in reaching the ultimate goal of eliminating pneumoconiosis and other occupational diseases caused by dust exposure in the mining industry. Designed primarily for use by industrial minerals producers, this handbook contains detailed information on control technologies to address all stages of the minerals handling process, including drilling, crushing, screening, conveyance, bagging, loadout, and transport. The handbook's aim is to empower minerals industry personnel to apply state-of-the-art dust control technology to help reduce or eliminate mine and mill worker exposure to hazardous dust concentrations—a critical component in ensuring the health of our nation's mine workers.
Consolidates information developed by industry and government laboratories on dust control engineering techniques. Designed for the minerals processing industry, the technology applies to other industries as well. Dust, its prevention, formation and control are examined, including wet and dry control systems, personal protection, and testing methods.
Annotation Based on 138 proceedings papers from October 2002, this broad reference will become the new standard text for colleges and will become a must for engineers, consultants, suppliers, manufacturers.
This comprehensive reference examines all aspects of mineral processing, from the handling of raw materials to separation strategies to the remediation of waste products. It incorporates state-of-the-art developments in the fields of engineering, chemistry, computer science, and environmental science.
The Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) of the U. S. Department of Energy commissioned the National Research Council (NRC) to undertake a study on required technologies for the Mining Industries of the Future Program to complement information provided to the program by the National Mining Association. Subsequently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also became a sponsor of this study, and the Statement of Task was expanded to include health and safety. The overall objectives of this study are: (a) to review available information on the U.S. mining industry; (b) to identify critical research and development needs related to the exploration, mining, and processing of coal, minerals, and metals; and (c) to examine the federal contribution to research and development in mining processes.
