A Guide to Mining Noise: Affects and Control Management
Mining is a risky business. Exploiting resources can be a huge undertaking and often results in the alteration of whole landscapes. This is why it requires careful planning to ensure the evaluation and elimination of any risks that might result. Noise is one of those inevitable hazards at mine sites. It could cause a variety of problems including the loss of hearing in workers as well as the disruption of entire communities.
Mining noise can originate from a variety of sources within the mine, and is difficult to manage. The cause could be machinery, processing facilities blasting, traffic or something else. A mine site could be an ongoing source of noise pollution.
Why Reducing Mining Noise Is Critical
There are a variety of reasons why noise control at mine sites can not be ignored, for example:
- Regulations and measures
The law says. Much like the construction industry noise needs to be controlled and kept to a minimum so as to not disrupt the nearby communities or animals. The concept and the forecast of the noise generated by mining should be a part of the general Environmental Impact Assessment (see below) and should also incorporate efforts to reduce noise.
- Worker safety
There’s no reason why you should not take proactive steps to lessen the risk to health and safety caused by continual exposure to sound. Mining workers that spend weeks, days, or months in the area among the numerous dangers posed by noise sources. Hearing loss due to noise could be a huge economic expense.
- Maintaining good relationships with public officials
Mines that are most efficient tend to be more obscure. It’s easier to control and follow-up until the final people are happy. A quiet and private website makes the public relations work much more easily and can lead to happy third parties and ultimately, the most cost-effective method.
The effect of noise on future mine operations forms the main focus of the process of conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
These threats and risks threaten the loss of habitat water quality pollution and groundwater erosion and soil quality, air quality, as well as the social consequences of these threats, including congestion on roads as well as cost-benefit, and of course, noise pollution.
Who is Affected by Mining Noise?
- Workers
Due to their proximity the sources of noise Miners are the most at the risk of being exposed to noise in the mine. Some mines are situated where in areas that aren’t causing damage to the surrounding population but, miners will be in the firing line.
Research suggests that about 85-90 dB, exposure to the noise without protection could cause permanent hearing loss. For example, OSHA (the Operational Safety & Health Administration) has established the maximum level of exposure to 85 dBA in an eight-hour duration in the absence of hearing protection. But, at a limit of 115 dBA one can endure 15 minutes of exposure without suffering permanent hearing damage. So mining noise control is essential.
Thermowrap is quite simple to build to get a high amount of noise reduction. The Thermowrap are a novel type of acoustic barrier. They’re modular in construction and provide a portable noise control solution that blends the light material, with guaranteed longevity (for water ultraviolet, fire UV, smoking resistance) and acoustic performance offer the most modern technology for noise reduction across mines.
Thermowrap absorb up to 100% of the audio energy (around 400 Hz and above) and offer as much as 30 dB reduction due to mining noise (with potential for reducing 43 dB).
Low Frequency Noise & Vibration
Acoustic barriers are, however, not able to provide the greatest results in reducing sound that is lower than 400Hz. This is why you need an item that has much greater mass.
Accurately Monitoring Mining Noise Control
Because of the strict rules concerning noise pollution in mining activities, introduction of a thorough noise monitoring program at the mining site is vital to ensure legal compliance according to the project’s approvals and the applicable law. It’s helpful for you to draw out your Noise and Vibration Management strategy. This is a fantastic illustration by Austar.
Attended Mining Noise Control
This method allows the most accurate estimation of the impact of certain mining activities to the noise levels overall. This can happen monthly and is essential to determine the level of compliance.
The Public
Mines are generally out of the public’s eye and from hearing and the eyes. However, mines that are nearer to cities can be noisy due to their constant roaring around the all hours of the day, which could create disturbances in the everyday lives of the people within the vicinity. Noise pollution can create anxiety and stress. It can also make it difficult to concentrate and impact the cognitive, physical and behavioural development of children.
Wildlife
A large-scale project could wipe out entire animal populations. This is without considering the broad impact of noise on biodiversity in the local area.
The sound produced by mines in operation could impact animals’ ability to recognize prey. It can lead to higher kill rates and decreased amount of predators. The sound can trigger forced movements of animals, which could result in imbalances within the ecosystem.
