WHAT IS ROCK DUSTING?

Rock dusting is done underground in a coal mine to help keep fine coal dust particles down to a minimum. These small particles of coal dust are highly combustible and by covering the walls with pulverized lime stone keeps these particles from igniting and making a flash fire grow larger. This practice has been around for the past 50 years.

Rock Dust Delivery

Rock dust is delivered to the mines in two fashions:
1. In RAW BULK form by tanker trucks usually at a rate of 24 tons a day, and it takes a special tank to be present at the mine site for storage. Plus, you need a system of rock dust bore holes just to distribute the dust throughout the mine.

2. In BAGGED ROCK DUST which is also delivered by truck, but with individually wrapped bags for handling and storing. This method allows the rock dust to be stored underground.

How is Rock Dusting Applied?

Mines that have the rock dust delivered in the raw form use bulk dusters. This process generates a lot of floating rock dust which if breathed can collect in your lungs and affect your health. When this method is used the mine needs to be closed down until the entire process is complete and the dust settles, which costs the mine money. Mines that have bagged rock dust delivered only require BANTAM DUSTERS which means smaller loads and fewer men to operate. These bags vary in weight anywhere from 50 lbs to 3000 lbs a piece depending on customers demands. These machines generate a lot of floating rock dust as well, and are not able to operate while mining coal, which means the mine needs to be cleared out of workers who aren’t doing the rock dusting.

Problems with DRY/WET Rock Dust Applications in Coal Mines

Rock dusting generates a fine powdery dust which is hazardous to your health. It can only be done with a limited crew, and mining coal has to be limited or stopped. If a mine is cited by MSHA with a rock dusting violation that mine must shut down until the violation is rectified. Because the application of dry rock dusting is limited in its ability to adhere more than 1/16 of an inch thick to the mines surface this process needs to be repeated on a more regular basis. Wet Rock Dusting - a mixture of lime stone and water, has a problem with lift, or thickness and consistency when applied over a surface. This limits its usefullness to all parts of the mine, because it becomes time consuming having to follow up with smoothing and spreading the material evenly.

What is FOAM DUSTING?

Rock dusting with a special mixture of rock dust, water and foam. This product has been perfected and patented world wide. Foam dusting can be applied up to 2 inches thick throughout a mine and can be done while still mining coal, because it creates no pollutants. This means no down time ever again. Within one work shift’s time it will become powder dry to the touch. The foam is applied similar to the cement spraying equipment already in use in mines today. This means very little training is needed and most miners can be trained within a weeks time. Foam Dusting can last up to two months without having to reapply, and can cover more surface with less rock dust due to the expansion of the foam.

Call our sales department for pricing.

High Tech Communications combined with Advanced Safety Products equals - YOUR ONE STOP SHOP!