The mining industry recognizes the need to control dust. Constant use of roadways by heavy trucks creates significant dust, reducing visibility and contributing to equipment wear and impacting the health of personnel. Dust is often controlled using water trucks that move at a slow pace while wetting down the road. However, this method hampers traffic and is considered wasteful and inefficient. 

Automated sprinkler systems can be highly effective for dust suppression by distributing water more uniformly over large areas. This application helps keep particles from becoming airborne, helps capture particles that are already airborne, and can run beyond the dust-causing event to knock down the entire dust cloud. 

In addition to roadways, auto-mated sprinklers are also used on side slopes and heap pads to reduce dust. Proper system design incorporates considerations such as the area of use, distribution pattern and droplet size. Sprinkler systems can be more cost-effective than other methods providing a more reliable, lasting low-maintenance solution that is easier to implement.

Senninger Technology

The Senninger’s Part-Circle EFF impact sprinklers are ideal for keeping dust under control on side slopes and roads. They are designed for use where a directional impact sprinkler is required. 

These sprinklers eliminate the need for costly mobile watering while increasing coverage efficiency. When coupled to a portable pipe system, the Part-Circle provides the best and most flexible option to keep dust under control. 

Senninger’s Part-Circle sprinklers are available in three models, each for different flows:

• 3123 Model – 550 to 1174 l/hr (2.42 to 5.17 gpm) 
• 4123 Model – 868 to 1999 l/hr (3.82 to 8.80 gpm) 
• 5123 Model – 1476 to 3657 l/hr (6.50 to 16.1 gpm)  

The Part-Circle EFF impact sprinklers distribute water in a 60° to 360° pattern in 5° increments. They are constructed of engineering-grade thermoplastics and specifically selected stainless-steel components for excellent corrosion resistance. Also, they come with enclosed stainless-steel springs and fulcrum pins to resist contamination. 

Other Considerations

Senninger entered the mining industry in 1970 with special acid-resistant sprinklers for the copper-gold and silver mining industries.

Senninger’s mining products are constructed using engineering-grade thermoplastic resins, which are specially formulated and selected for resistance to corrosion, abrasion, ultraviolet degradation and the rugged conditions specific to mining. Their mining products are used globally for mineral recovery, dust control, effluent disbursement, evaporation, side of slope leaching and other industrial applications.

Other Senninger sprinklers available for mining are the Super Spray, which provides a full 360° spray pattern and is extremely useful for evaporation of excess water in gold and silver mining installations. 

Senninger’s 30, 40, and 50 Series impact sprinklers provide low application rates with a large diameter of coverage. The 80 Series impact sprinklers are ideal for watering over a large diameter with maximum efficiency at high flow rates.