The Effects of Mining on Human Health Different Sources of Dust Particles The collapse of underground mines, perhaps due to Dust particles can be produced through a range of heavy rainfall or poor construction, are some of the activities involved in the extraction of different rock and most common causes of underground mining accidents. mineral products on surface and underground mining Air pollution is also a major cause, with high levels of sites. Activities such as excavation, blasting and drilling of flammable methane gas and coal dust being the cause of rocks release different forms of dust particles, including: some of the most serious mining accidents in history. • Dust containing crystalline silica Underground air pollution can also have a serious effect • Coal dust on human health, the effects of which can sometimes take decades to be detected. There are now more high- • Asbestos tech methods of revealing the different forms of air • Metals, including lead, mercury, and uranium pollution present and then to substitute them for another particles substance, or even remove them completely. It is still important that workers are all aware of the different forms of air pollution in the mine they’re working in from the time that work begins.

Forms of Underground Air Pollution The main causes of air pollution on mining sites are particulate matter (dust particles) and gases including radon (RN), methane (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO). Underground mining sites that are not well ventilated are highly risky and respiratory problems such as black lung disease and silicosis are two of the most severe results of long-term dust exposure. Lung cancer and tuberculosis could even be a result of long-term exposure to dust particles or a toxic gas, such as radon.

Request a Demo 2 The form and quantity of particles released, depends on the Effects of Dust Particles on Human Health geology of the rock involved and the different activities that are included in the mining process. Over time, the lungs could be badly affected by regular exposure to mining dust and hazardous gases. If too much dust is inhaled, the lungs could swell up, leading to breathing The effects that dust can have on human health, depend on: difficulties. Other effects include: • The size of dust particles. • Coughing • The structure of dust particles and their effect on the • Sore throat body. • Fever • The intensity of dust particles, compared to the size of • Chest pain the workers breathing zone. • Nausea • How often the dust is inhaled over a period of time. • Tiredness Black lung disease and silicosis are Smaller respirable particles may be invisible to the naked eye two of the most serious respiratory and able to reach deep down into the lungs. Lung scarring, problems caused by dust exposure and fibrosis are some of the effects of respirable quartz and can even be the cause of (crystalline silica) dust. Other respirable particles can even be diseases such as heart disease and the cause of cancer. Black lung disease and silicosis are two lung cancer. of the most dangerous respiratory problems, but luckily new methods of protection and stricter laws on the intensity of dust particles are making them less common.

Request a Demo 3 Black Lung Disease Symptoms include: Black lung disease, or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, is • Shortness of breath the result of inhaling too much coal dust, a highly explosive • Strong coughing powdered form of coal particles. Coal dust accumulates in the lungs until it can’t be removed, giving patients similar • Fever symptoms to the long term effects of tobacco smoking. This • Night Sweats can lead to inflammation, fibrosis and in some cases necrosis (premature death of cells in living tissue). Early stages of • Weight loss black lung disease could have no symptoms. Later symptoms include: • Respiratory failure • Chest pains

• Chronic coughing • Shortness of breath Since these symptoms may not be noticed for 15 to 20 years, it is most important to make sure that workers are not at risk • Pain breathing from inhaling silica or coal dust. Suffering from black lung • Increase in mucus (sometimes turning black) disease and silicosis can increase the risk of other miner’s health problems occurring, such as: • Coughing up blood • Chronic bronchitis • Heart disease Modern safeguards such as respirators and ventilation systems are effective methods of prevention, which are also • Lung cancer commonly used for the prevention of silicosis. • Pneumonia Silicosis • Asthma Silica dust is frequently released from soil and rocks being • Sclerosis grinded or broken up on mining sites. These small particles of dust can also be inhaled and trapped in the lungs. Silicosis is Other dusts, containing heavy metals can also have serious also a serious lung disease that could be fatal. effects.

Request a Demo 4 Mercury Poisoning Different Range of Mine Gases The effects of inhaling mercury vapor Mine gases, also called ‘damps’ (Dampf is the can be serious or even fatal. This heavy German word for vapor) refers to the range of metal is found in about 25 organic mineral gases involved in mining operations. These compounds present in different mines. gases include: Mercury (Hg) can be inhaled, swallowed, or even absorbed through the skin. Results of : highly flammable and explosive gas, mercury poisoning include: usually methane (CH₄) Whitedamp or carbon monoxide (CO): Formed in coal mines, mainly by the oxidation of coal. • Mouth ulcers : Any atmosphere where a fire lamp • Insomnia will not burn due to excess carbon dioxide • Nausea (CO₂), nitrogen (N₂) and/or low oxygen. • Abdominal pain Stink or hydrogen sulfide (H₂S): Given this name because of its’ distinctive smell of rotten • Headaches eggs • Cardiac weakness : Mixture of all gases left in a mine after an explosion or fire.

If workers are exposed to a high level for several years, their The US Mine Safety and Health Administration insists that kidneys may be affected, potentially even leading to kidney gas detection equipment is used in all mines to detect these failure. common gases. Calculations should also be used to measure the % Lower Explosive Limit, which these hazardous gases hazardous gases can also be the cause of life-threatening must be under to prevent the risk of explosion. medical problems like lung cancer, while explosive, highly flammable gases such as methane, have been the cause of some of the most serious disasters in mining history.

Request a Demo 5 Effects of Unsafe Levels of Mine Gases Ventilation fans are also used to dilute gases under their explosive level. It is a legal requirement that mining sites are Gas detectors are a crucial form of equipment to use in monitored for a dangerous level of methane concentration underground mining sites and methane is one of the most in the air. Levels must be under the important to measure. explosive range of 5%. According to the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), targets Disastrous Effects of Unsafe Methane Levels should be set to reach below 1%. In 2015, it was calculated that Methane Fire and explosion are two of the main (CH₄) makes up approximately 10% of all risks of gas exposure but, human health greenhouse gases in the US. Over a 100- can also be affected. year period, its’ impact on trapping radiation has been 25 times greater than CO₂. Along with coal dust, it is the most common cause of coal mine Effects of Radon on Human Health explosions and is more readily ignitable. These explosions are Radon is an odorless, radioactive gas involved in uranium, usually caused by former methane explosions that force the coal, silver, and other forms of underground mining. The dust up into the air. When the dust is ignited, flames are more concentration of radon in mines varies a lot, but it is especially likely to spread over a long distance. common when uranium, found in rocks such as granite and limestone, is broken down to produce radium sediments. Sediments can then decay into this radioactive gas. If A high methane level lifting explosive coal dust into the air, the gas is allowed to build up it begins to decay, forming resulted in some of the largest coal mine accidents in history. solid particles which can then enter the lungs, unable to Including: escape. This is the main source of radiation in most forms of 1906: 1,099 killed in the Courrières mine disaster in North underground mining and lung cancer can be a serious result. France The results of exposure to many of these gases and dust 1913: 439 killed in a mine disaster at Senghenydd in South particles, indicates the importance of protection for mining Wales. workers. Luckily, many of these medical problems can be prevented through better ventilation systems, personal 1942: 1549 killed in a mine in Benxihu Colliery, China.

Request a Demo 6 protective equipment (PPE), or even the elimination of these Alternative Safer Substance particles altogether. If there is a safer alternative for any of the dust particles or gases used, this is also recommended. For example, scientists Removal or Alteration of Unsafe Substances in Northwestern University discovered cornstarch as being an environmentally friendly alternative to the highly poisonous The most effective way of preventing miner’s health problems cyanide. This was used by almost every gold mining site to caused by substance exposure is to remove them from a separate gold from other raw materials. mining site. Changing these particles for a safer equivalent is another effective method, but workers may need to receive the proper mine safety training to notice any of the effects “The elimination of cyanide from the gold industry is of the of exposure, and provided with efficient Personal Protective utmost importance environmentally. We have replaced nasty Equipment (PPE) for protection to be certain. reagents with a cheap, biologically friendly material derived from starch.” (Sir Fraser Stoddart, the Board of Trustees Professor of Chemistry in the Weinberg College of Arts and Removing Particles Altogether Sciences). If there is a way that these dust particles or hazardous gases can be easily removed, this is the best method of preventing Turning powders into pellets is a good method of preventing exposure. It is most effective way to treat the dust from its particles from being released into the atmosphere. Xanthate point of release. is used as a flotation substance in the mining industry to separate metal sulfides such as lead, copper, and zinc. It is usually sent to mining sites in the form of pellets instead of Rules published by The Mine Safety and Health Administration powder. (MSHA) state that controls such as dry dust collectors must be used when miners are drilling rock. This was aimed to protect surface miners working with, or around highwall drills, who were exposed to dangerous amounts of crystalline silica. Important Equipment and Safety Features Silicosis result from overexposure to these particles. It is important for any equipment involved to be suitable and remain well-maintained for the job. For example, cutting blades, used to remove minerals from the rock body, should

Request a Demo 7 stay sharp and strong enough to easily cut into the rock without too much dust being released. Water sprays are This is the most effective method of dust and gas control but a simple method of suppressing any dust. Ventilation and probably the most difficult to implement. For example, the air air filtration for any respirable particles and gases are also velocity must remain high, usually at a rate of 60 to 150 ft/min. effective but must be well produced and appropriate for the There are other forms of equipment such as shrouded power structure of the underground mining site. tools that retain smaller amounts of these substances, as well as methods of checking that these gases and particles are not present. Ventilation System A reliable ventilation system is one of the most important safety features of underground mining. Safety Lamps Insufficient ventilation can result in unsafe exposure to Safety lamps are a less expensive way of checking a working toxic gases and dust particles under a high temperature. area to make sure that hazards of such as High underground temperature can also the result of coal dust or flammable gases are absent. They are other causes including confined spaces, virgin rock used to illuminate underground coal mines where temperature, machinery, physical labor, and rock any dangerous substances could be found. These blasting. sealed electronic lamps prevent the ignition of gases or dust which is a hazard when open- flame lamps are used. They are now usually Sufficient ventilation systems can be used attached to miner’s helmets. These flames to collect a moving stream of air from the could change color, perhaps forming a blue ground level, passing it along to the different parts of the underground mine. Each working area should continue to receive a fresh, cool air supply. In the

tinge if an unsafe level of methane is detected. Workers result of an emergency, some of these ventilation systems can should be taught to use any equipment such as power even be modified and used as escape routes. tools that are created for work in this kind of environment.

Request a Demo 8 If jobs can be altered so that work takes place in a safe Underground barriers could also be constructed to shield uncontaminated area, this is the best choice for permanent workers from these substances, but they should still be safety. aware of what they are being protected against and how to recognize it, perhaps based on smells or bodily symptoms.

Maintaining the Permanent Safety of Workers Workers Training Workers should always receive mine safety training to work in this environment, as well as be provided with the correct PPE All workers must be aware of and recieved mine safety and safety equipment for the job. They should still not remain training to prevent the hazards of coal mining involved in in an underground site for longer than the recommended time tasks where they are exposed to air pollution. Watering and the best solution would be if their work could be moved is an inexpensive method of holding down dust particles to a safer, uncontaminated area. and can be easily taught to workers. This is used in 81% of underground mines in Australia and workers should be instructed to do this before any holes are drilled, preventing Separation from the Substance particles such as coal dust from rising-up into the air. Ventilation systems are a way of protecting workers with a High-pressure spraying systems can also contain added constant supply of fresh air. Moving workers a safe distance chemicals to improve the performance of the spray. For away is the most effective way of protecting them from the example, D-Dust is a surfactant product aimed to grip coal substance altogether. particles which are a hydrophobic material, repelling water. Surfactants are compounds used to reduce the surface For example, if rock-breakers are under radio remote control, tension of liquids causing them to spread out instead of miners may not even have to travel underground. ABB, a forming droplets. This allows the water to absorb these coal Swedish-Swiss global leader in power and automation particles more effectively. technology, supplies Bolide’s Garpenberg Mine in Sweden with remote controlled rock-breakers. This project is supplied with two ABB remote control stations with remote control desks and safety controllers. They are provided with a real- time video system to view the constant work being done and Workers should be trained to work safely in these conditions, a 3D simulator to teach workers how to use rock breakers. but not be sent to work in mines for longer than they must be.

Request a Demo 9 Exposure in Moderation Other important forms of PPE include: It is important that workers are replaced after a certain amount • Hard hats, with a light source for subsurface miners of time, if other workers with similar skills are present. If no • Safety glasses, with anti-fog properties. Sealed to one else is available frequent rest periods are necessary prevent the entrance of dust and sand. to reduce exposure to these conditions. The legal limit of coal dust exposure is set at 2.4mg over an 8-hour period. • Ear plugs However, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and • Half or full-face masks Health (NIOSH) has set the recommended limit for at 1mg over 8-hours. • Protective Conti Suits with reflective stripes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): • Hand protection Before sufficient PPE is chosen, it is important that the other • Heavy duty, anti-slip boots methods of protection have been investigated and any possible changes made, such as changing certain substances for a safer alternative. Suitable respiratory equipment is Miner’s health problems are most likely to form over time, the most effective form of protection and must be provided after years of working in a gas filled or dust ridden, sometimes to shield workers from any gas or hazards of coal mining enclosed space. It is important that all these forms of worker that could lead to respiratory problems, such as black lung protection are enforced from the time that work begins. They disease. should also be aware of their own right to efficient PPE for the job involved and aware of any dangerous substances that they could be exposed to. When using a respirator for the job:

• Choose the right kind for the right job, for the relevant gases, dust etc. • Keep it clean. • Don’t share with other workers. • Make sure it’s a good fit, which facial hair can hamper.

Request a Demo 10 Conclusion The natural environment can also be affected, especially the water system, soil, vegetation, and wildlife in the local area.If a dangerous form of underground air pollution cannot be successfully removed or substituted, there are new forms of equipment or safety features that can protect workers on the job. New laws also insist that they are provided with all the relevant PPE in an environment that must be tested for safe levels of any toxic gases or dust particles. Air contamination is still only one form of pollution in the mining industry.

Request a Demo 11 A contractor orientation system built for the guys on the ground

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