Elimination of diatomite dust in the longwall extraction section of the Sig mine in western Algeria

摘要

Research relevance. Dust generated by mining machines due to continuous loading and transportequipment movement especially in mines with no optimal ventilation conditions is a major problem fordecision-makers. Dust directly affects mine capacity and exposes workers' lives to a risk of chronicdisease due to the inhalation of large quantities of this dust and toxic gases during a seven-hour oreight-hour shift. Dust control methods in longwall mines vary from one mine to another, depending onore composition.Research aim. In this article we will examine the current flow process of eliminating dust in the longwallworking section and propose another process to ensure dptimal working conditions in the diatomitemine.Methodology. Analysis of the technical equipment which is currently used in mining and geologicaloperations and evaluation of its application at the facility under study represents a relevant approach toproduction efficiency improvement. The present research considers the possibility of using the flooded-bed scrubber system which was mainly used in underground coal mines to monitor dust in the longwallsection. It has been evaluated how efficient the scrubber absorbs the dust generated as a results of themineralized layer extraction, the concentration of the coal dust in the working section making up from0.7 to 8.8 mg/m~3, while the dust produced during the extraction of the mineralized layer in theunderground diatomite deposit is 0.38-1.21 mg/m~3 in the working section.Research results. The research resulted in the positive attitude towards the possibility of applying theflooded-bed scrubber, which is used in coal mines, at the longwall extraction sections of the Sig mine.It will significantly reduce the concentration of dust in the longwall section.Conclusion. In order to set the appropriate working environment inside the mine, an effective method ofremoving dust must be developed, it is especially important to remove dust during work, which willcontribute greatly to boosting productivity and reducing diseases among workers.