Analyzing Characteristics of Particulate Matter Pollution in Open-Pit Coal Mines: Implications for Green Mining

Huaiting Luo, Wei Zhou, Izhar Mithal Jiskani and Zhiming Wang
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Huaiting Luo: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Wei Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Izhar Mithal Jiskani: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Zhiming Wang: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: The particulate pollution in the open-pit coal mines of China is particularly severe in winter. The aim of this study is to understand the pollution characteristics of particulate matter (PM) in winter and provide a basis for the prevention and control of particulate pollution. We took the problem of PM concentration at the bottom of the Haerwusu Open-pit Coal Mine (HOCM) as the research object. Dust monitoring equipment at two measurement points at different heights were positioned for continuous monitoring of the PM concentration. The data for three months were gathered. Statistical analyses were performed to analyze the variation characteristics of the PM and its relationship with meteorological factors. The results show that the average PM concentration in the study area is below the average daily limit of the China National Ambient Air Quality Standard (GB 3095-2012). However, the average concentration of PM10 exceeded the national limit in December. The order of PM concentration is observed as December > January > February. The correlation of PM is found to be positive with humidity and negative with wind speed. Temperature is found to be positively correlated with PM in December, while it is negative in January. At the same time, the temperature difference in December is negatively correlated with PM concentration. Under the combined action of multiple meteorological factors, the magnitude of the impact on the PM concentration at the bottom of the pit in winter is humidity > temperature > wind speed > temperature difference (inverse temperature intensity). In conclusion, PM2.5 is found to be more sensitive to environmental factors. The results of this study are particularly useful to progress in green mining.

Keywords: dust pollution; environment; open-pit; particulate pollution; PM; environmental factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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