Download Study Process Chemicals used in Underground Mine

“Study Process Chemicals used in
Underground Mine/Concentrator and its
relationship to the Workwear”
Case Studies in Occupational Hygiene
Session 2b
Rodrigo Domínguez Carmona
[email protected]
@ridrigousm
Federico Santa Maria technical University
Viña del Mar- Chile
OEESC 2016, 19 - 21 September 2016
Manchester Conference Centre
Overview
• Introduction
– Particularities of great mining
– Productive Process
• Method
– Study area/ Field data
• Result and Conclusions
OEESC 2016, 19-21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Introduction
• At world level, Chile is one of the countries that represents
the most spending in the mining exploitation projects
(United Nations Publications, 2005)
• During the first decade of the XXI century the mining
industry lives a great moment. Chile is a world leader in
copper production (32% of world production in 2012) and
63% of Chilean exports are associated to the mining
sector. (Severt et al, 2014)
• Mining has historically been one of the highest accident
incidence and severity rates of any industry because of its
hazardous working conditions. (Wang et al, 2010)
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Introduction
Obtaining metal, it has been described by studying
a Chilean mining company, which meets four main
stages of processing material.
These steps correspond to the process of
crushing, grinding, collective flotation and tailings
thickeners.
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Introduction
Extraction
Flotation
Secondary
crushing
Primary
crushing
Tertiary
crushing
Figure 1: Schematic flow diagram of the coper process
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Grinding
Introduction
Flotation
Extraction
Secondary
crushing
Crushing: In order to
produce a crushed
material suitable for as
mill feed, crushing is
done
in
stages.
(primary,
secondary
and tertiary)
Primary
crushing
Tertiary
crushing
Grinding
Figure 1: Schematic flow diagram of the coper process
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Introduction
Extraction
Grinding: In this
process stage, the
crushed
material
can
be
further
disintegrated in a
cylinder mill
Flotation
Secondary
crushing
Primary
crushing
Tertiary
crushing
Grinding
Figure 1: Schematic flow diagram of the coper process
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Introduction
Extraction
Flotation: By altering
the conditions of their
surfaces,
mineneral
particles suspended in
water can be induced
to adhere to air bubbles
passing
through
a
flotation cell or to
remain in the pulp. The
tailings, containing the
hydrophilic
minerals,
can be removed from
the bottom of the cell
Flotation
Primary
crushing
Secondary
crushing
Tertiary
crushing
Grinding
Figure 1: Schematic flow diagram of the coper process
Concentration: involves the separation of valuable
minerals from the other raw materials received from
the grinding mill
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Introduction
All stages generate some kind of danger according
to exposure to different agents used in each of the
processes described and to which workers are
exposed
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Method
Study area
Field Data
Dangerous
substances
Definition of Study
area
Field Data capture
Clasification of
dangerous
substances
Figure 2: Phases of the study
• Phase 1: Include products used by workers in underground
mine and concentrator
• Phase 2: Identify the chemicals products used in the
workplace and methods of use
• Phase 3: Identify the chemicals used that classify as
hazardous
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Phase 1: Study area
The study areas were defined arbitrarily by the
company that requested the study.
It includes only products used in underground
mine and concetrator
Table 1: Underground mine
Table 2: Concentrator
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Table 3: underground mine and
concentrator
Phase 2: Field Data
The main objective of the visit focused on
assessing the situation of plant workers exposed
to chemicals in their operations.
The visit includes: lime plant, concentrator, plant
reagents,
underground
mine
(level
16
maintenance/ level 17 sinking)
Note1: Reagents Plant
It is noted that work clothing is contaminated
because of poor ventilation. (Leaks of water
combined with powder forms a gel)
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Phase 2: Field Data
Note2: Lime Plant
Workers say they have suffered dermatitis on
more than one occasion in contact with lime
Figure 3: The photo shows that the grid and engine are covered with lim
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Phase 2: Field Data
Note3: Flotation Plant
Work clothes maintainers observed very
polluted, surprising the short time it takes to
get dirty (first shift), and impregnation is very
aggressive.
Note4: Underground mine level 16/ Maintenance
Maintainers wash their clothes during the
turn two washers and two dryers arranged
for 100 workers
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Phase 2: Field Data
Note5: Underground mine/ level 17/ sinking
The drilling operation is performed by two workers
coordinately a loud voice, which does not allow the
use of respiratory protective device
A worker manually load the hopper with 25 kg
sacks and the other worker injects with air the
explosive
Workers interviewed in the workplace have a strong
pollution in the working diver, even with 6 hours of
use. In addition to impregnate the material on the
face, neck, hands and hair.
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Phase 3: Dangerous substances
Tabla 4: Summary of analyzed substances.
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Conclusions
The solvent MARVEL CM is a solution
whose main component in the mixture is
perchlorethylene
It is considered toxic according to Chilean
standard (Hazardous materials - Part 1:
Hazard Class )
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
Conclusions
Bisides, EPA has classified tetrachloroethylene
as likely to be carcinogenic to humans by all
routes of exposure based on suggestive
evidence in epidemiological studies and
conclusive evidence
OEESC 2016,19 – 21 September 2016,
Manchester Conference Centre
“Study Process Chemicals used in
Underground Mine/Concentrator and its
relationship to the Workwear”
Case Studies in Occupational Hygiene
Session 2b
Rodrigo Domínguez Carmona
[email protected]
@ridrigousm
Federico Santa Maria technical University
Viña del Mar- Chile
OEESC 2016, 19 - 21 September 2016
Manchester Conference Centre