A MIST OPPORTUNITY I-CAT’s new misting system launch was delayed because of Covid-19, but the company aims to launch it before the end of the year
Environmental solutions company I-CAT intended to launch a new dust suppression system earlier this year but there were many delays owing to the national lockdown, says I-CAT director Lourens Jansen van Rensburg.
“While the Covid-19 national lockdown halted many mining operations, the outbreak prompted stricter health and safety measures at mines, placing even more importance on the need for dust management.”
He explains that air-quality management issues pertaining to mining are mainly centred around fugitive dust emissions. These include dust deposition and health impacts on mineworkers and surrounding communities. Therefore, dust control has to be built into every aspect of the mines’ planning and operation.
Jansen van Rensburg says I-CAT continuously conducts research and development to ensure that its dust suppression solutions are effective to mitigate health and safety risks.
The company offers a range of dust suppression solutions that are tailored for various mining operations. He adds that each product and system is tailored to client needs.
“Our range of dust suppression solutions are continuously modified to improve results according to the client’s environment-friendly requirement.”
I-CAT is currently engaged in a number of dust suppression projects. Most of these involve road dust suppression; however, several projects require misting systems for dust suppression at plants and conveyor installations.
“We hope to also have a new misting system ready by the end of the year,” he tells Engineering News.
Moreover, Jansen van Rensburg adds that I-CAT’s dust suppression solutions are effective alternatives to using water tankers, as they require far less water while reducing the need for the constant grading of roads.
He underlines that misting systems have a high effectiveness in terms of the agglomeration of dust particles, owing to a high level of water dispersion at transfer points and crusher plants.
I-CAT’s dust suppression systems include a variable dust particle sizing technology.