Dust-A-Side Mozambique was incorporated in 2013, with operations being steered from the Tete province. Currently Dust-A-Side is involved in Mozambique’s coal mining sector through supplying dust suppression solutions for primary haul roads, secondary haul roads and material handling processes.

Dust-A-Side analysed the climate in the Tete region and discovered that the region experiences large rain downpour during its summer season. Excessive rainfall requires the mine haul roads to be waterproofed in order to reduce production downtime and maintain mining operations. On the flip side, in the dry winter, water comes at a premium.

The company entered the Mozambique mining industry with the supply of a bituminous based emulsion product as part of its solution to treat dust and maintain the mine’s primary haul roads. The main component of this product is bitumen which is capable of binding fine dust particles (soils) creating a waterproof seal on the treated road surface. The robust, malleable properties of bitumen has positioned the Dust-A-Side product as a reliable solution available to mines during rainy seasons.

The Dust-A-Side product offers a savings of up to 90% in water use, which equals a huge benefit during winter months when water is at a deficit. 

In addition to water savings, the solution brings significant savings to clients by reducing the road rolling resistance, which, in turn, reduces tyre wear and fuel consumption. Maintenance also prevents the erosion of the roads leading to a reduction in resources required to maintain the road on an ongoing basis.

Not all haul roads facilitating the hauling of ore and waste material from one pit to another are sealed. Most mines, including coal mines, use water as a means to control dust emissions generated on these roads.

On these sites there are also often large open areas that do not have much vegetation. Unsealed roads and open areas without vegetation are susceptible to dust emissions when the wind speed increases or wind direction changes. High levels of dust in the atmosphere can contribute to environmental concerns, health and safety issues for workers on the sites as well as for people in surrounding areas.

As a means to control dust, water is sprayed over unsealed roads on a regular basis. In dry and hot climates this can become a continuous operation because the effectiveness is dramatically reduced when the water evaporates. Spraying water continuously increases water usage and water bowser running costs. A cost effective way to control and manage dust emissions, together with reducing equipment, labour costs and water consumption is to use Dust-A-Side’s offering for dust suppression on secondary haul roads.

Vale’s Moatize coal mine and ICVL’s Benga coal mine are Dust-A-Side’s biggest clients in Mozambique. The com- pany is currently offering ongoing services for abating dust and maintaining roads at both coal mines. Dust-A-Side has also designed and supplied a high-pressure mist system for the plant at Benga coal mine in the past 18 months. In the field of materials   handling, Dust-A-Side’s solution renders both high-and low-pressure systems. The use of low pressure systems allows for dust prevention through the addition of a high volume of moisture to the material in order to prevent dust from becoming airborne.

High pressure systems in dust suppression produces a high concentration of 10-micron fog droplets resulting in a low volume of moisture in the air to capture dust that is already airborne. Due to the nature of the high-pressure systems which uses minimal water, the moisture contribution to ore is minimal.

Dust-A-Side also offers products in conjunction with their materials handling solution.

According to Dust-A-Side’s Operations Director Louis Ledoux, the market conditions in Mozambique are tough with new mining projects being delayed and existing clients working hard to reduce their operating costs. The company partners with its clients in order to increase the value delivered whilst reducing the mine’s total cost of ownership.

“We trust that this approach will enable us to secure organic growth. Our approach was thoroughly and very professionally investigated by our client prior to their decision to work with us. They wanted to find the best value for money. Our solutions have been very well received and the results yielded. We must however carry on doing our utmost to support our clients and continuously adapt our solutions to their changing needs focusing on cost reduction while supporting their growth.”