For the mining industry, dust and water are important, costly commodities that generally lie at opposite ends of the desirability spectrum, yet they're often closely linked by quantitative concerns: Too much of either can cause major problems leading to higher operating costs and reduced productivity. For most mining operations, water is an essential ingredient in dust control in the pit, on haul roads and at dump, crusher and conveyor transfer points. Dust control at concentrators and other types of process plants involves fans, electrostatic precipitators and baghouses, all of which can be significant energy consumers. With the industry in general having to compete more frequently with other interests for dwindling available water resources, and mineral producers becoming more interested in reducing their emissions/carbon footprint for cost and social-responsibility benefits, dust and water are linked by another set of quantitative concerns: How to reduce the existence of one and the need for the other, in a manner that makes economic sense.
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