There are various ways Earthbind®100 can be used to manage fugitive dust on an active mine haul road. A common method consists of applying Earthbind® in two phases. This is generally referred to as the “base course phase” and the “maintenance phase”.

To begin with, the base course phase is established. The base course phase consists of applying a topical application of a moderately-diluted solution of Earthbind® to the surface of the haul road using a water truck. The objective of the base course phase is to apply a sufficient amount of the Earthbind residual to “bind up the fines” that are already present on the surface of the road that is the main source of fugitive dust.

The application for the base course phase is the same as when watering the haul road for dust control however with an amendment of Earthbind® instead of just plain water. The base course phase is completed by repetitive applications of the Earthbind® solution over a relatively short time frame, such as a one to seven-day period. The time frame to build up the base course depends on how concentrated the Earthbind® solution is used and the number of applications required to build-up the product to achieve the goal of approximately 0.075 to 0.12-gallons of Earthbind® concentrate residual per square yard of a road surface.

Once the base course phase has been established, the haul road should be mostly free of fugitive dust. Afterward, a maintenance phase needs to be implemented. A maintenance phase is required due to the nature of active mine haul roads since new material is constantly falling off the haul trucks and getting ground up by traffic, creating “new” dust.

For the maintenance phase, a weaker solution of Earthbind® than what was originally used in the base coarse phase is used. For example, the dilution ratio can be as heavy as a 12:1 dilution or as light as a 40:1 dilution. This solution is then periodically (i.e., once a week, once bi-weekly, etc.) applied to the surface of the road using a water truck (as in the base coarse phase) to control the “new” dust that is continuously formed.

The maintenance applications are necessary to control dust generated by track-on, blow-on, or spill-on dust (material dropping from haul trucks) to acceptable levels. Naturally, the maintenance application dilution rate would need to be stronger when a significant amount of new dust is generated between applications, while lighter dilutions can be used when only a little new dust is produced. The schedule of the maintenance applications can also be varied. Typically, more maintenance applications may be required when significant new dust is generated.

To learn how you can get Earthbind®100 for your hauling roads, give our team call today. We’ll be happy to help you find the dust control solution for your area, so you can have higher visibility and access.