A Good Dusting Down

Date: 27 July 2010

Just ask any port authority chief executive about how much hassle is caused for a port when a strong wind carries dust away from stockpiles or from a shiploader.

Many Australian ports are near population centres. The burghers of those towns tend to want to make the most of the waterfront, which is where ports - by their nature - tend to be.

This leads to cafe developments and residential living, often in close proximity to the port. However, people tend to get a tad miffed when their cappuccino gets an added dusting, and the argument that the port was there first does not seem to cut it.

It would be fair to say that urban encroachment can be one of the biggest issues on a port authority management team's mind.

Queensland mining services company Reynolds Soil Technologies may have an answer. It has taken its dust suppression products and modified them for use at some of Australia's ports.

After completing trials on Australia's east and west coasts, RST is hoping to secure contacts with Australia's various port authorities to offer a holistic dust management solution.

RST technical and development director David Handel said the management of dust control while transporting minerals from mines to shop required specific procedures and technology that the company had developed over the past 20 years.

Handel said due to the sensitive environment around most ports, dust management has become more important.

RST is using its Superskin technology, a veneer eco dust suppressant, to help control dust at ports.

"We work with a variety of shipping ports throughout Australia who are extremely proactive in managing their entire shipping process," he said.

"Shipping ports already work on strict environmental guidelines. We are helping them meet these guidelines and complement the procedures they already have in place. We also offer cost-effective water-saving solutions and our proven technologies work."

RST is using its Superskin technology, a veneer eco dust suppressant, to help control dust at ports.

The company also is using purpose designed spray systems to apply foamers, water extenders and crusting agents to the transported minerals.

These suppress dust en route to the vessel. RST technologies also includes a non-stick agent called Release It, which is sprayed on the rail wagon and truck trays to eliminate any carry-back to the minesites.

Handel called the approach total materials handling and dust prevention.

"This includes management stockpiles, loading, transporting and unloading throughout the whole material supply chain, ensuring dust is kept to a minimum or totally eliminated," he said.

"This is achievable with our innovative products and application processes and with our new Superskin we use 90 per cent less product than anything else in the marketplace.

"Shipping ports are a new growth area for us. We ensure the transportation and movement of products is completed in the safest and cleanest possible way, in that is generally a more pristine environment near the ocean and towns.

"There is a strong market for our dust management solutions for the entire process from mines through to the transportation and movement of materials and, ultimately, to the ports."

Handel said the company had received inquiries from a number of interested ports.

"We've had a lot of interest and already work with some major ports, railways and mines throughout Australia," he said.

"We also work internationally with contracts secured in South America, South Africa, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Asia and other major industry areas."

All RST products and solutions are tailor-made to match individual job requirements.

The company has its headquarters at Burleigh Heads in Queensland and in the Perth industrial suburb of Welshpool.