Emission rate formulae for surface iron ore mining activities

A study was carried out at three surface iron ore mines to determine the total suspended particulate emission rate and to develop the formula for the emission rate of various surface iron ore mining activities. The study covered various mining activities and locations including waste loading and unloading, iron ore loading and unloading, screening plant, exposed waste dump, stock yard, exposed pit surface, transport road and haul road. A set of 10 formulae was developed to calculate the total suspended particulate emission rate of various surface iron ore mining activities. The emission of gaseous pollutants (sulphor dioxide and oxides of nitrogen) was also evaluated but was found negligible for various mining activities, and emission rates were determined for overall mine only. The developed formulae were validated with the measured emission data at another surface iron ore mine. The accuracy of the activity-wise emission rates calculated using the developed formulae was found to vary from 92 to 97% of actual field measurement data. The developed formulae for determination of emission rate from various surface iron ore mining activities will help in predicting air quality status through air quality modelling and designing effective mitigative measures for sensitive areas during the planning stage of a proposed mine.