Recent innovations in controlling dust emissions in the bauxite/alumina industry

Fugitive dust emissions are becoming a growing global concern. In the bauxite/alumina industry, dust emissions are generated during the mining, transport and handling of bauxite, and from operations in red mud disposal areas. While environmental, health and safety issues are the primary reasons for concern, dust can also have a major economic impact as the result of increased maintenance and clean-up costs, and the loss of bauxite prior to digestion. Although water can minimize certain dust problems, the benefits are short term, and the addition of water can cause wet bauxite handling problems and increased transportation costs. This paper summarizes recent innovations for reducing dust emissions in a range of operations from bauxite mines to red mud disposal areas. The examples provided include a method for controlling dust during mining operations; automated equipment and chemicals for controlling bauxite dust; road and surface stabilization; and red mud disposal area dust control.