Dust Generation within the Vicinity of Malmberget Mine, Sweden

Abstract

Mining activities are usually associated with environmental impacts, particularly that of air pollution by fugitive dust. Malmberget mine is one of the most important iron mines in Sweden and the dust problem has been noticed by the inhabitants for a long time. Dust collectors had been installed to measure the dust fallout around the mining site. In this research the dust fallout recorded during the period August 2006 till July 2010 were analyzed. Generally speaking the amount of dust fallout was decreasing year by year due to some implemented dust control methods. Mining activities produced more dust during summer than winter. The peak value was 265g/100m2/30d appeared in May 2007, and the lowest dust fallout was 25g/100m2/30d happened in August 2009. Dust was determined to be originated from the open pit area and the industrial center area. Truck transportation on the haul roads, wind erosion of stockpiles and exposed areas were the main activities that caused dust generation.