Research on the Distribution and Escape Characteristics of Dust at the Blasting Pile in an Open-Pit Mining Area

In open-pit mines, substantial amounts of dust are generated at various stages. Due to the long duration, repeated mechanical disturbance, and large volume of material handled during the shoveling and loading of blasting piles, this stage is recognized as one of the primary contributors to overall d...

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Main Authors: Yong Cao, Xiaoliang Jiao, Rong Liu, Haoran Wang, Yi He, Jie Chen, Xiang Lu, Huangqing Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Geosciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/7/238
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author Yong Cao
Xiaoliang Jiao
Rong Liu
Haoran Wang
Yi He
Jie Chen
Xiang Lu
Huangqing Zhang
author_facet Yong Cao
Xiaoliang Jiao
Rong Liu
Haoran Wang
Yi He
Jie Chen
Xiang Lu
Huangqing Zhang
author_sort Yong Cao
collection DOAJ
description In open-pit mines, substantial amounts of dust are generated at various stages. Due to the long duration, repeated mechanical disturbance, and large volume of material handled during the shoveling and loading of blasting piles, this stage is recognized as one of the primary contributors to overall dust emissions in open-pit mining operations. The objective of this study is to investigate the spatial dispersion characteristics of dust at blasting piles and evaluate the influence of wind direction on dust migration and escape behavior. This study uses a full-scale numerical model to analyze the airflow and dust migration characteristics at blasting piles under different wind directions. Simulation results show that dust particles of different sizes exhibit distinct dispersion patterns: large particles settle near the source, medium particles migrate a moderate distance, and fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10) travel further and are more likely to escape from the pit. The leeward slope and pit bottom are identified as critical zones of dust accumulation and escape. Under both dump-side and stope-side wind conditions, respirable dust (d < 5 μm) accounts for more than 50% of the escaped particles, posing potential health risks to workers. These findings establish a scientific basis for targeted dust suppression strategies, supporting safer and more sustainable mine site management.
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spelling doaj-art-5be4fe6684564ddeaeecf1ac241ae8ac2025-08-20T02:45:46ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632025-06-0115723810.3390/geosciences15070238Research on the Distribution and Escape Characteristics of Dust at the Blasting Pile in an Open-Pit Mining AreaYong Cao0Xiaoliang Jiao1Rong Liu2Haoran Wang3Yi He4Jie Chen5Xiang Lu6Huangqing Zhang7Zhunneng Group Co., Ltd., China Energy Investment Corporation, Ordos 010300, ChinaZhunneng Group Co., Ltd., China Energy Investment Corporation, Ordos 010300, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, ChinaSchool of Metallurgy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, ChinaSchool of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, ChinaIn open-pit mines, substantial amounts of dust are generated at various stages. Due to the long duration, repeated mechanical disturbance, and large volume of material handled during the shoveling and loading of blasting piles, this stage is recognized as one of the primary contributors to overall dust emissions in open-pit mining operations. The objective of this study is to investigate the spatial dispersion characteristics of dust at blasting piles and evaluate the influence of wind direction on dust migration and escape behavior. This study uses a full-scale numerical model to analyze the airflow and dust migration characteristics at blasting piles under different wind directions. Simulation results show that dust particles of different sizes exhibit distinct dispersion patterns: large particles settle near the source, medium particles migrate a moderate distance, and fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10) travel further and are more likely to escape from the pit. The leeward slope and pit bottom are identified as critical zones of dust accumulation and escape. Under both dump-side and stope-side wind conditions, respirable dust (d < 5 μm) accounts for more than 50% of the escaped particles, posing potential health risks to workers. These findings establish a scientific basis for targeted dust suppression strategies, supporting safer and more sustainable mine site management.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/7/238open-pit miningblasting piledustdistribution and transportdispersion patterns
spellingShingle Yong Cao
Xiaoliang Jiao
Rong Liu
Haoran Wang
Yi He
Jie Chen
Xiang Lu
Huangqing Zhang
Research on the Distribution and Escape Characteristics of Dust at the Blasting Pile in an Open-Pit Mining Area
Geosciences
open-pit mining
blasting pile
dust
distribution and transport
dispersion patterns
title Research on the Distribution and Escape Characteristics of Dust at the Blasting Pile in an Open-Pit Mining Area
title_full Research on the Distribution and Escape Characteristics of Dust at the Blasting Pile in an Open-Pit Mining Area
title_fullStr Research on the Distribution and Escape Characteristics of Dust at the Blasting Pile in an Open-Pit Mining Area
title_full_unstemmed Research on the Distribution and Escape Characteristics of Dust at the Blasting Pile in an Open-Pit Mining Area
title_short Research on the Distribution and Escape Characteristics of Dust at the Blasting Pile in an Open-Pit Mining Area
title_sort research on the distribution and escape characteristics of dust at the blasting pile in an open pit mining area
topic open-pit mining
blasting pile
dust
distribution and transport
dispersion patterns
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/7/238
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