DUSTING UP ON DUST POLLUTION

The Queensland government’s Ignite Ideas Fund has been awarded to a program protecting both workers and the environment through dust suppression.

Words: Matilda Meikle

Global Road Technology (GRT), an international engineering company, received $100,000 during round nine of Queensland’s Ignite Ideas Fund. This money will go towards its dust control solution, aimed at protecting miners and other workers, as well as prioritising the environment.

GRT’s product will revolutionise the mining sector by focusing on dust suppression – and now it has the government backing its progress.

WHAT IS DUST SUPPRESSION?

Dust suppression is the process of limiting airborne dust particles, most often used in mines, construction sites and roads. When left unchecked, dust pollution can cause several life- threatening diseases, putting workers and the environment at risk.

Dust pollution is caused when different particles are released into the air due to the cutting of certain types of rocks during mining, or other disruption to the land. Initial exposure causes irritation to the eyes, skin and lungs. However, longer exposure can lead to several lung diseases, including coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and lung cancer.

For companies like GRT, this reality highlights the need for greater protection for workers. Already, research has suggested its products deliver a maximum of 75 per cent cost saving compared to conventional methods, and are significantly more effective.

A Daring Device

To combat dust pollution, GRT has proposed its SMART Dosing Unit, which enhances the effectiveness of dust suppression and water management systems on mine sites. The polymer-based dust suppression technique stops the generation of dust particles while also stabilising road surfaces. It is designed to work under extreme weather conditions without negatively impacting the environment.

It works as a water additive, increasing the efficiency of water to capture dust particles for a longer duration. This reduces water usage and allows for more effective dust suppression.

GRT CEO Troy Adams says the funding will allow the company to enhance its presence in the national market. He hopes to provide mining sites with a simple solution to reducing dust pollution.

“Our SMART dosing technology is receiving great traction in the mining industry, with trials being run on some of the biggest mine sites in Australia as mines look at ways to reduce their carbon footprint and the amount of particulate pollution generated by their activities – both issues that our product can address.

“Designed and assembled by GRT’s engineers, these Australianmanufactured SMART Dosing Units consist of a central control and satellite communication module utilising complex technology to provide the ability to remotely control and automate product use.

“As a company, we are grateful for the support of the Queensland government’s Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas initiative, as the funding will assist us in accelerating our growth, while at the same time assisting the mining industry as it protects workers and the environment.”

The funding announcement coincides with GRT’s continued expansion into an internationally recognised engineering technology company. In February, they revealed a partnership with TotalEnergies Marketing Australia, which will offer a collection of environmentally safe, sustainable and cutting-edge dust suppression products.