ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY DUST CONTROL I-Cat Environmental Solutions recently installed the ScrubMist dust-removal system at Beeshoek iron-ore mine
Environmental management company I-Cat Environmental Solutions completed the installation of a R5.8-million ScrubMist dust-removal system at diversified miner Assmang’s Beeshoek iron-ore mine, in Northern Cape, last month.
I-Cat director Anton van der Merwe tells Engineering News that the project included the installation of multiple programmable logic controllers that command and automate the numerous ScrubMist systems using advanced and robust technologies.
“The project was divided into three phases, and the last phase was completed well within its completion date of April 30. We had nine skilled and trained staff working on the project,” he says.
Van der Merwe adds that some of the challenges of the project included the need to modify equipment pieces to the specific conditions of the project, and to fulfil quick and easy maintenance requirements on mining machinery. “With a dedicated team and adequate planning, we communicated effectively to ensure that the challenges were overcome in the quickest way possible so that the completion date of the project was not affected.”
He highlights that dust, as a pervasive hazard that undermines the health of workers, impacts negatively on the surrounding environment and substantially reduces the life span of machinery.
In a water-scarce country such as South Africa, it is important for local operations not to waste water when implementing dust suppression solutions, Van der Merwe adds.
“This is one of the challenges that Beeshoek mine faced and, with a system like ScrubMist, I-Cat was able to help the mine save water and offer a health and safety solution.”