Global Road Technology (GRT), a specialist in dust control, has launched its automated SMART Dosing Units (SDU), which are being offered to the mining industry to help to minimise dust pollution.

By 2032, the dust suppression industry is expected to become a US$8.56bn sector.

SMART mining: Sustainable, Mining, Autonomously, Reporting Technology

After the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on respiratory care, mining companies want to have greater control of the dust pollution the industry creates. 

The Australian Made SMART (Sustainable, Mining, Autonomously, Reporting Technology) Dosing Units consist of a central control and communication module and mechanical hardware, which supports remote control and automated product dosing, error detection, and flow rates - using the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. It is designed to be more efficient than water-based methods of managing mining dust.

The SMART Dosing Units are being tested in the Australian outback, which is thick with natural red dust.

Dust pollution levels can be decreased with smart manufacturing 

Dr. Kathryn Emmerson of CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, is concerned about the impact of dust on Australia’s air quality.

“Dust can travel very long distances so it is not an easy fix,” said Dr. Emmerson. “It’s got to be a concern, for all residents in Australia really, the general density of particles is going up.”

Troy Adams, GRT Managing Director, sees this automation investment as a way to protect onsite workers and local communities.

"Our products are designed to provide resource companies the ability to stop the spread of dust particles generated by mining activity and the SMART Dosing Units take it to the next level by using data and automation to help in mitigating particulate pollution.

"In addition to accurately dosing our dust control products, our latest SMART Dosing Units include telemetry which acts as a data hub and allows for direct reporting, tracking, and control of dosing, with a customised client dashboard. This powerful data includes water consumption, water truck operational efficiency, water truck efficiencies, product levels, dosing rates and the overall working effectiveness of the supporting apparatus (incl. pumps and power units) used to provide these services."