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science at work to
ensure the health of sa’s miners
In brief
Nationally and internationally, silicosis,
a lung disease associated with mining
activities, has caused major health
concerns. In South Africa, the CSIR was
appointed to assist the mining industry to
reduce and eliminate the dust exposures
of their workers by identifying and
implementing dust control technologies in
the underground work environment.
The challenge
The silicosis problem in South Africa has
its origin in the inadequate dust control
and high disease rates found in the ‘silica
industries’. The severity of the disease is
determined by the total dose and intensity
of dust exposure.
The disease is characterised by the
scarring of lung tissue, and consequently,
a reduced ability of the lung to exchange
oxygen with waste gasses that are
produced in the body.
The danger of silicosis as a disease lies
in the fact that it is progressive; even
after exposure has ceased, deterioration
continues. Silicosis also increases the risk
of tuberculosis, another serious concern in
South Africa.
The Mine Health and Safety Council
(MHSC) held a Summit in 2003 where
it was decided to address this disabling
disease. It called for a reduction of silica
dust exposure in accordance with the
following milestones:
• By December 2008, 95% of all dust
exposure measurement results must be
below the occupational exposure limit
(OEL) for respirable crystalline silica
of 0.1 mg/m 3 ; and
• After December 2013, using present
diagnostic techniques, no new
cases of silicosis must occur among
A typical spectrum obtained from an X-ray diffractometer in measuring quartz in dust.
previously exposed individuals (i.e.
equivalent to a new person entering
the industry in 2008).
CSIR research
A Safety in Mines Research Advisory
Council silicosis control programme
(SIM 03 06 03) study was initiated and
awarded to the CSIR to assist the South
African mining industry in achieving these
milestones.
The focus of the SIM 03 06 03 project
was to assist the mining industry to reduce
and eliminate the dust exposures of its
workers by identifying and implementing
dust control technologies in the
underground work environment. Primary
outputs comprised the following:
• A risk assessment to identify the
priority dust sources and the
applicable control technologies in
underground mines
• Assessment of the filtration efficiency
for respirable dust of the current filter
media used for dust control
• Compilation of internationally
acceptable best practice materials,
including manuals, for dust control.
The CSIR project team obtained
information on current local and
international practices for dust control by
visiting selected mines and speaking with
dust control experts. The team assessed
current dust control practice in developed
mining countries and compared this with
data from South Africa. Following this,
potential dust control methods in identified
project mines (gold, coal and longwall
coal) were piloted to determine the
effectiveness of the controls to lower dust
liberation in the mining environment. Work
also included a literature review on dust
control methods for South African quarries.
Outputs
The following good practice manuals
were developed from the study to guide
the mining industry to work towards the
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