Capital Equipment News February 2018

DUST SUPPRESSION

RESTATING DUST-BUSTING RETURNS

While dust suppression systems still remain a grudge buy for many dust- emitting operations such as mines and quarries in South Africa, and Africa at large, local supplier I-CAT reiterates that – apart from just meeting legislative requirements – the benefits of efficient and effective dust suppression systems are many and proven, writes Munesu Shoko .

T he drawbacks of industrial sec- tor-created dust emissions are well-documented; the risk of health hazards, ballooning haulage road and equipment maintenance costs, bloating water costs, among other several envi- ronmental hazards associated with dust emissions, need no restating. The benefits of efficient and effective dust suppression systems are proven and multiple. I-CAT, a South African leading supplier of dust suppression systems since 2008, believes dust suppression has become a “must have” rather than a “nice to have” system, not only to comply with health & safety and air quality regulations, but also to reap the several productivity and cost advantages these solutions can offer. Firstly, the health of employees working in dust-emitting environments, as well as that of communities in the vicinity of such operations, is of utmost significance. Dust suppression systems can protect from harm- ful respiratory diseases and create a healthi- er working environment which adds value to the employee morale and productivity. These systems are especially beneficial to the effectiveness of operations on quarries and mines.

KEY ADVANTAGES OF I-CAT’S DUST SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

The products are environmentally- friendly

Protect from harmful respiratory diseases, thereby creating a healthier working environment

Offer water savings of up to 80%

Improved grip on the roads due to the friction between two organic materials, thereby improving safety

“More than just reaching legislative mile- stones, dust is a pervasive problem. It un- dermines the health of people, reduces the lifespan of machinery and has a negative impact on the environment at large. It can damage the most sophisticated equipment and technology. It’s therefore imperative for industries to effectively control dust on a

continuous basis,” says Lourens Jansen van Rensburg, director at I-CAT. Working within various applications, a well-designed and fit-for-purpose dust suppression system will save money by re- ducing site maintenance, clean-up costs and equipment wear in the long run. A dust-free haul road, for example, results in increased

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