Metal Mining Research Articles

Field observations and interpretation of extensional fracture in hard rock surrounding deep underground openings

Extensional fracturing often occurs in hard rock masses during excavation at depths, for example, >1000 m below the ground surface. Surface-parallel fractures are created in the surrounding rock mass, which is typically subjected to stresses parallel to the free rock surfaces after excavation. These are called extensional fractures because the strains perpendicular to the fracture planes are extensional and the opposite surfaces of each fracture tend to separate from each other as soon as the fracture is created. These fractures predominantly propagate parallel to the maximum principal stress σ1 in the surrounding rock mass. This study analyses extensional fractures observed during excavations in cut-and-fill mining stopes in a deep metal mine. This analysis explores the process of extensional fracturing during excavation in an undisturbed rock mass. In general, intensive spalling occurred on the roof surfaces immediately after the excavation of the undisturbed rock mass. This spalling terminated after a certain depth of rock failure, while burst sounds intermediately emitted from the surrounding rock mass, indicating that rock fracturing was ongoing at depth. In the subsequent cutting slices, the spacing between the extensional fractures decreased with increasing mine-out space in the stope. An extensional fracturing criterion was proposed based on microscopic observations of microcrack development in the rock in response to applied stress. The crack initiation and extensional fracturing processes are associated with two critical extensional strains which are related to the secondary stress state in the position. In areas close to the free rock surface where σ3 = 0, the stress for crack initiation is (σ1+σ2) = 0.4σc, whereas the stress for extensional fracturing is (σ1+σ2) = 0.8σc.

Shear resistance characteristics and influencing factors of root–soil composite on an alpine metal mine dump slope with different recovery periods

Shear resistance characteristics and influencing factors of root–soil composite on an alpine metal mine dump slope with different recovery periods

Divergent roles of IREG/Ferroportin transporters from the nickel hyperaccumulator Leucocroton havanensis.

In response to our ever-increasing demand for metals, phytotechnologies are being developed to limit the environmental impact of conventional metal mining. However, the development of these technologies, which rely on plant species able to tolerate and accumulate metals, is partly limited by our lack of knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this work, we aimed to better understand the role of metal transporters of the IRON REGULATED 1/FERROPORTIN (IREG/FPN) family from the nickel hyperaccumulator Leucocroton havanensis from the Euphorbiaceae family. Using transcriptomic data, we identified two homologous genes, LhavIREG1 and LhavIREG2, encoding divalent metal transporters of the IREG/FPN family. Both genes are expressed at similar levels in shoots, but LhavIREG1 shows higher expression in roots. The heterologous expression of these transporters in A. thaliana revealed that LhavIREG1 is localized to the plasma membrane, whereas LhavIREG2 is located on the vacuole. In addition, the expression of each gene induced a significant increase in nickel tolerance. Taken together, our data suggest that LhavIREG2 is involved in nickel sequestration in vacuoles of leaf cells, whereas LhavIREG1 is mainly involved in nickel translocation from roots to shoots, but could also be involved in metal sequestration in cell walls. Our results suggest that paralogous IREG/FPN transporters may play complementary roles in nickel hyperaccumulation in plants.

Stability Evaluation of the Goaf Based on Combination Weighting and Cloud Model

Goaf has become one of the most significant sources of hazard affecting the safety of metal and nonmetal mines. Evaluation of goaf stability is of paramount importance for mine safety production. First, 13 indices such as rock mass structure, geological structure, and goaf volume are selected based on engineering experience and literature review to assess the stability of goaf. These indices are classified according to the characteristics of each factor, and a stability evaluation system for underground mine goaf is constructed. Second, the analytic hierarchy process method based on group decision theory is utilized to calculate the subjective weight of each index. Additionally, the CRITIC method is used to calculate the objective weight of each index. Finally, game theory is used to combine the subjective and objective weights, thereby improving the accuracy of the index weight. The stability grade of the goaf is calculated using the normal cloud model. The FLAC3D numerical simulation is used to analyze the stability of the goaf and verify the accuracy of the model. The abovementioned model is utilized for assessing the stability of the goaf in the Duimenshan mine section. The results indicate that 90% of the goaf area is in a stable or relatively stable condition, while the remaining 10% is unstable. The evaluation outcomes were compared with FLAC3D numerical simulations, highlighting a scientific and reliable method with an accuracy rate of 90%.

Characterization and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Dust Generated in a Highly Mechanized Underground Metalliferous Mine

Characterization and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Dust Generated in a Highly Mechanized Underground Metalliferous Mine

Recovery Characteristics of Critical Elements in Tailings from Abandoned Metal Mines

Recovery Characteristics of Critical Elements in Tailings from Abandoned Metal Mines

Ecological pollution features and health risk exposure to heavy metals via street dust and topsoil from Nkpor and Onitsha in Anambra, Nigeria.

The manuscript presents the investigation results on the pollution and risk of metal mines, and it is considered an important report on environmental pollution near mines in Nigeria, with archival value. The research involved soil sampling and heavy metal analysis for about 12 months in three metal mines. Based on these results, the paper provides information on pollution levels and hazards using well-known methods like pollution and ecological risk indexes. The increasing population in urban communities attracted by various industrial, economic and social activities causes contamination of atmospheric environment that can affect human health. We investigated heavy metal distributions, correlation coefficient among elements, ecological indices and probable health risk assessment in street dust and topsoil from Nkpor and Onitsha urban suburb, Nigeria. The mean concentration of heavy metals in car dust from Onitsha and Nkpor suburb follows thus: Fe > Mn > Cu > As > Pb > Ni > Cr. The decreasing trend of heavy metal in rooftop dust from both area: Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb > As > Ni > Cr whereas metal contents in topsoil were: Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > As for both areas. The degree of pollution indices was characterized by contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation factor (I-geo), pollution load index (PLI), Nemerow (PN), ecological and potential ecological risk index (ER and PERI) which indicated low pollution in the urban street environment. The results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) showed that the estimated heavy metals displayed sources from atmospheric deposition, natural origin and anthropogenic sources. Risk assessment revealed that ingestion of dust and soil was the significant route for heavy metals exposure to the populace followed by inhalation, then dermal contact. Considering all factors, non-cancer risk was more prominent in children than adults and no significant health hazard could be attributed to both aged groups as of the period of study except for As and Ni that needs constant monitoring to avoid exceeding organ damaging threshold limit of 1 × 10-4.

Mineralization processes of the Mount Garnet Zinc deposit, NE Queensland (Australia): Insights from garnet geochemistry and U-Pb geochronology

The Mount Garnet Zinc deposit in NE Queensland, Australia, is located in the region of voluminous magmatism associated with the formation of Palaeozoic continental arcs of Gondwana. Ore-forming events of this deposit are related to the intrusion of the Kennedy Igneous Association (KIA) – a large suite of igneous rocks spanning Late Carboniferous to Early Permian in age – into the Silurian limestone (Chillagoe Formation) in the Hodgkinson Province (Mossman Orogen). Petrographic observations and in situ major and trace element analysis reveal the sequence of garnet growth and fluid-rock interaction during skarn formation. Three types of garnets are identified, Grt I (including IA and IB) and Grt II. Grt IB is related to Zn-Pb mineralization. All garnets have elevated Sn and W and the highest levels of W and Sn are observed in Grt II. Garnet U-Pb ages of Grt IB provide the first direct geochronological result of hydrothermal minerals in the Mount Garnet region. New data argues that the base metal mineralization may take place during early Permian period and be sourced from the Claret Creek Supersuite. Sn-W mineralization may be associated with the O’Briens Creek Supersuite.

Study of the Critical Safe Height of Goaf in Underground Metal Mines

The empty-space subsequent filling mining method is the main mining scheme for underground metal mines to achieve large-scale mechanized mining. The stage height, one of the main parameters of this method, affects the various production process aspects of the mine and influences the stability of the goaf. In order to determine the stage height scientifically and rationally in the empty-space subsequent filling mining method, a formula for the stabilized critical safe height of a high goaf in an underground metal mine was derived based on Pu’s arch equilibrium theory, Bieniawski’s pillar strength limit theory, and the Kastner equation and combined with the results of an orthogonal analysis to rank the importance of the main factors in the formula. A copper mine in Jiangxi Province was used as a case study, with the reliability of the formula verified by numerical simulation and industrial testing. The factors in the formula influencing the critical stabilized safe height of the goaf were, in descending order, the compressive strength of the rock body, the width of the two-step mining pillar, the width of the one-step mining room, the mining height, and the depth of mining. Based on the calculation results, the recommended stage heights are 30 m (−378 m middle section) and 25 m (−478 m middle section) in the area of poor rock body stability and 50 m in the area of better rock body stability. The simulation results show that the goaf is significantly affected by the compressive stress under the condition of a certain rock body stability and that the compressive stress increases with increasing goaf height. The minimum recommended values of the sidewall safety coefficients in areas of poor and better rock stability are 1.04 and 1.06, respectively. The volume deviation coefficients of the three industrial test mines were all controlled within 3%, indicating that no obvious collapse and destabilization phenomenon occurred in the goaf. This paper provides some theoretical and applied guidance for the stage height design of similar underground metal mines using the empty-space subsequent filling mining method.

Comprehensive insight into mercury contamination in atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems surrounding a typical antimony-coal mining district

This study comprehensively investigated mercury (Hg) contents of various environmental compartments in a typical antimony-coal mining area with intensive industrial activities over the past 120 years to analyze Hg environmental behaviors and evaluate Hg risks. The total mercury (THg) contents in river water, sediments, soils, PM10, dust falls, vegetables and corns were 1.16 ± 0.63 µg/L, 2.01 ± 1.64 mg/kg, 1.87 ± 3.88 mg/kg, 7.87 ± 18.68 ng/m3, 13.01 ± 14.53 mg/kg, 0.30 ± 0.34 mg/kg and 3.11 ± 0.51 µg/kg, respectively. The δ202Hg values in soils and dust falls were − 1.58 ∼ 0.12‰ and 0.25 ∼ 0.30‰, respectively. Environmental samples affected by industrial activities in the Xikuangshan (XKS) presented higher THg and δ202Hg values. Binary mixing model proved that atmospheric deposition with considerable Hg deposition flux (0.44 ∼ 6.40, 3.12 ± 2.20 mg/m2/y) in the XKS significantly contributed to Hg accumulations on surface soils. Compared with soils, sediments with more frequent paths and higher burst probabilities presented higher dynamic Hg risks. Children were faced higher health risk of multiple Hg exposure than adults. Furthermore, the health risk of THg by consuming leaf vegetables deserved more attention. These findings provided scientific basis for managing Hg contamination.

DETEKSI ZONA MINERALISASI EMAS DI GUNUNG GUPIT, MAGELANG MENGGUNAKAN METODE INDUCED POLARIZATION

Mount Gupit is an area with gold mineralization potential which is part of the Menoreh Mountains, in the Magelang area. Mineralization potential mapping was carried out using geophysics, namely the Induced Polarization method. Induced Polarization Method measurements were carried out in 5 trajectories in a relatively west to east direction and with varying path lengths. The configuration used is a dipole-dipole configuration with a: 10 meters and n: 1-6. Interpretation is carried out on the results of the Resistivity and Chargeability data inversion. The inversion results show a resistivity range from 2 to 400 Ohm-m. Resistivity values are divided into three criteria, namely low with a value of less than 10 Ohm-m as clay rock, medium with a range of (10-75) Ohm-m as pyroclastic breccia and high with a value greater than 75 Ohm-m as intrusion or chunks of andesite. The inversion results show that the chargeability value varies from 2 to 80 ms. This value is divided into three criteria, namely low (<10 ms), medium (10 to 35) ms and high (>35 ms). Low chargeability values are interpreted as zones that are not mineralized so that there are no metal minerals. The mineralized zone is being interpreted from a moderate chargeability value. Meanwhile, a high chargeability value is interpreted as a zone that is strongly mineralized and contains significant metallic minerals. The existence of a mineralized zone stretches from track 2 to track 5 to the north, while the zone has disappeared or been exhausted in track 1 to the south of the research area.

Comprehensive heat extraction performance and fractured reservoir cooling effect analysis of a novel mine enhanced geothermal system

Mining deep metal mines poses significant challenges due to the high-temperature conditions in such environments. However, the vast untapped geothermal energy within these mines holds great prospects for development and application. Herein, we proposed a novel technology for the deep mine cooling and enhanced geothermal system (DMC-EGS), which transforms the relationship between deep mining and geothermal resources from a source of heat harm to heat benefit, while also providing conditions for underground mining environment cooling. Understanding the fluid flow and heat transfer processes in the deep mine thermal reservoir is crucial for developing DMC-EGS. Based on the local thermal equilibrium theory, a three-dimensional thermal–hydraulic coupled model of the thermal reservoir in the Sanshan Island Mine containing multiple fractures was established. The impact of natural fractures and fracture number on the thermal recovery performance and cooling effect of the system was considered, and the optimization scheme of heat recovery wellbore was proposed for the deep thermal reservoir of Sanshan Island Mine. It can be found that fractures play a crucial role in fluid-rock heat exchange. Compared with scenarios without fractures, hydraulic fractures could significantly improve the heat transfer capacity and rock cooling effect, resulting in a 45.7% increase in the amplitude of rock matrix temperature decrease and more than a 1.76-fold increase in overall heat recovery efficiency. In addition, the number of fractures significantly impacted the temperature distribution within the rock formation, and an increased number of fractures was associated with more efficient heat recovery performance. When the number of fractures was 7, the cumulative thermal production could reach 6.767 × 109 J. Among the three thermal exploitation schemes compared, the DMC-EGS under the triple-well mode yielded the best heat recovery performance during the 40-year extraction period, superior to the conventional dual-well mode, while the one injection and two production mode demonstrated better heat recovery capacity and cooling effect.

Факторный анализ рынка металлов платиновой группы и моделирование направлений его развития

Introduction. The first part of the paper reveals the concept and features of platinum group metals. According to the complex of considered parameters of each platinum group metals, including the market volume in physical and value terms, we distinguish three major (palladium, platinum, rhodium) and two minor (iridium, ruthenium) metals. For this research, the markets of five platinum group metals are identified as the object for factor analysis. Theoretical analysis. The platinum group metals market is systematized into two groups: supply factors and demand factors. It also analyzes primary and secondary sources of metals, and provides an overview of key application industries for each metal. Empirical analysis. Based on historical data, we compiled correlation matrices of fundamental factors interrelation between each other and with metal prices. Taking into account the identified correlation dependencies, regression models were developed, which, with a certain degree of accuracy, enable to forecast price dynamics. Results. Carrying out a factor analysis, in addition to stated dependencies and fundamental indicators quantitative assessments, we have summarized platinum group metals market trends.

Understanding the Mechanisms and Implications of the First Flush in Mine Pools: Insights from Field Studies in Europe’s Deepest Metal Mine and Analogue Modelling

The chemical composition of mine water discharged from flooded underground mines typically improves over time. This phenomenon is called first flush and can be described by a characteristic curve. Shortly after the mine water begins to discharge, water constituent concentrations rise and then fall in an almost exponential curve, improving water quality over time. In this study, the change in mine water quality was investigated throughout the mine water body. This mine water body commonly consists of different water bodies with individual densities, resulting in mine water stratification. Anthropogenic disturbance of the mine water body can disrupt this stratification and also the positive effect of the first flush. To better understand and predict the first flush, the first flush was simulated experimentally using an analogue model of a flooded underground mine, the Agricola Model Mine. The results were compared with field studies to help understanding and predicting the change in mine water quality. Overall, the results suggest that the first flush occurs throughout the mine water body, making it similar to a chemical reactor. This better understanding of the process can lead to more effective mine water management and design of mine water treatment facilities.Graphical

Spatial Prediction of Soil Contaminants Using a Hybrid Random Forest–Ordinary Kriging Model

The accurate prediction of soil contamination in abandoned mining areas is necessary to address their environmental risks. This study employed a combined model of machine learning and geostatistics to predict the spatial distribution of soil contamination using heavy metal data collected in an abandoned metal mine. An exploratory data analysis was used to identify patterns in the collected data, the root mean squared error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) were used to verify the predicted values, and the model was validated using K-fold cross-validation. The prediction results were produced as a map by applying hyperparameter tuning to Random Forest (RF) and Ordinary Kriging (OK) through GridSearchCV using optimal parameter selections. Furthermore, the prediction residuals of the RF model were calculated, and the RF prediction map and OK interpolation results of the RF prediction residuals were summarized to construct an RF–OK prediction map. The RMSE and R2 values for the RF, OK, and RF–OK interpolation models were 66.214, 65.101, and 52.884 mg/kg and 0.867, 0.871, and 0.915, respectively. In addition, the optimization results with the minimum RMSE and maximum R2 were obtained through hyperparameter tuning. The proposed RF–OK hybrid model demonstrated superior prediction performance compared to the individual models.

A green synthesis strategy toward calcined calcium-aluminum layered double hydroxide with sludge as aluminum source for efficient removal of phosphate from water

Layered double hydroxides promise efficient phosphorus removal from water, yet their preparation process inevitably leads to the consumption of metal minerals and incurs high material costs. The drinking water treatment aluminum sludge with high aluminum content is a suitable source for obtaining metal aluminum. Recognizing the environmental and economic challenges in traditional layered double hydroxides production, this research proposes a novel approach utilizing high-aluminum drinking water treatment aluminum sludge as an alternative aluminum source. Herein, calcium-aluminum layered double oxides with aluminum sludge as aluminum source (Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs) were prepared by co-precipitation and calcination method. The study meticulously examines the influence of variables such as dosage, initial pH, and the presence of coexisting ions on phosphorus removal efficiency: at the optimal dosage (0.5 g/L), the adsorption efficiencies of Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs for phosphate in the range of 2.0 < pH < 11.0 and in the environment of common anionic disturbances were maintained at more than 90%. After six adsorption-desorption tests, the phosphate removal efficiency of Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs only decreased from 98.85% to 74.38%. According to the Sips isotherm model, the maximal adsorption capacity of Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs at ambient temperature (25 °C) was determined to be 110.14 mg/g. Adsorption mechanism of Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs were explored through characterization, kinetic and thermodynamic studies, mainly involving electrostatic reactions, ion exchange reaction, surface complexation reaction, and surface precipitation. When 0.5 g/L Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs was added to the actual swine wastewater with phosphate content of 37.25 mg/L, the phosphate removal efficiency reached 86.19%. This study not only provides an alternative process method for the acquisition of layered double hydroxides, but also has wide applications for environmental protection.

Dual Shield: Bifurcated Coating Analysis of Multilayered WO3/BiVO4/TiO2/NiOOH Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar-to-Hydrogen Generation from Challenging Waters.

The heterostructure WO3/BiVO4-based photoanodes have garnered significant interest for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar-driven water splitting to produce hydrogen. However, challenges such as inadequate charge separation and photocorrosion significantly hinder their performance, limiting overall solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. The incorporation of cocatalysts has shown promise in improving charge separation at the photoanode, yet mitigating photocorrosion remains a formidable challenge. Amorphous metal oxide-based passivation layers offer a potential solution to safeguard semiconductor catalysts. We examine the structural, surface morphological, and optical properties of two-step-integrated sputter and spray-coated TiO2 thin films and their integration onto WO3/BiVO4, both with and without NiOOH cocatalyst deposition. The J-V experiments reveal that the NiOOH cocatalyst enhances the photocurrent density of the WO3/BiVO4 photoanode in water splitting reactions from 2.81 to 3.87 mA/cm2. However, during prolonged operation, the photocurrent density degrades by 52%. In contrast, integrated sputter and spray-coated TiO2 passivation layer-coated WO3/BiVO4/NiOOH samples demonstrate a ∼88% enhancement in photocurrent density (5.3 mA/cm2) with minimal degradation, emphasizing the importance of a strategic coating protocol to sustain photocurrent generation. We further explore the feasibility of using natural mine wastewater as an electrolyte feedstock in PEC generation. Two-compartment PEC cells, utilizing both fresh water and metal mine wastewater feedstocks exhibit 66.6 and 74.2 μmol/h cm2 hydrogen generation, respectively. Intriguingly, the recovery of zinc (Zn2+) heavy metals on the cathode surface in the mine wastewater electrolyte is confirmed through surface morphology and elemental analysis. This work underscores the significance of passivation layer and cocatalyst coating methodologies in a sequential order to enhance charge separation and protect the photoanode from photocorrosion, contributing to sustainable hydrogen generation. Additionally, it suggests the potential of utilizing wastewater in electrolyzers as an alternative to freshwater resources.

Mapping Ni-Cu-Platinum Group Element-Hosting, Small-Sized, Mafic-Ultramafic Rocks Using WorldView-3 Images and a Spatial-Spectral Transformer Deep Learning Method

Abstract Mafic-ultramafic intrusive complexes possess a considerable capacity for hosting Ni-Cu-platinum group element (PGE) sulfide deposits. However, the mapping of small outcrops over large areas by field surveys is time-consuming. In this study, WorldView-3 (WV-3) data with moderate spectral and very high spatial resolution were employed for mapping mafic-ultramafic units using spectral indices and the spatial-spectral transformer (SSTF) deep learning method in the Luotuoshan area of Beishan, Gansu Province, China. Based on representative reflectance signatures extracted from imagery of known locations, false-color composites of three-band ratios and a newly proposed short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral index provided reasonable delineation of mafic-ultramafic rocks. The SSTF method facilitated mapping the occurrence of small mafic-ultramafic outcrops and defining much clearer boundaries, particularly for tiny units at meter scale. Moreover, the SSTF method is not sensitive to the occurrence of carbonate lenses that may affect the reflectance of outcrops. Field investigation and laboratory sample analyses confirmed the occurrence of mafic and ultramafic rocks with substantial metallic mineral potential in this area. Seven prospects were confirmed to be related to mafic-ultramafic intrusions during field validation, four of which contained metallic minerals such as chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrite, and chromite in the samples observed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. This study proves that the spectral indices and SSTF deep learning method applied on WV-3 multispectral data are useful for discriminating small-sized mafic-ultramafic intrusive rocks (&amp;lt;100 m) for prospecting of local mineralization.

Cooperative Exploration Model of Coal–Lithium Deposit: A Case Study of the Haerwusu Coal–Lithium Deposit in the Jungar Coalfield, Inner Mongolia, Northern China

Lithium (Li) is an important strategic metal mineral resource, irreplaceable in the fields of modern industry, new energy technology, nuclear fusion, and energy storage devices. Li is an important supplement to traditional strategic metal mineral resources and has become an important avenue of mineral resource exploration. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish a cooperative exploration model of coal and Li deposits to lay a theoretical foundation from the perspective of technical optimization and economic rationality. This study is based on the distribution characteristics of the Haerwusu coal–Li deposit, and the effectiveness of the response to exploration techniques, the economical and effective exploration techniques, the reasonable exploration engineering design, and resource estimation parameters is investigated. Therefore, the cooperative exploration model of the coal–Li deposit is established. The high-Li areas in the surface of the Haerwusu Li deposit is distributed near the B1 anticline or in the middle area between the X1 syncline and the B1 anticline, and the vertical distribution of Li content is irregular. The exploration techniques, exploration engineering design, and resource estimation are reviewed and optimized. According to the geological, geochemical, and geophysical conditions, a reasonable cooperative exploration model for coal–Li deposits is established from the two aspects of the coordination of multi-mineral exploration and the coordination of various exploration technologies. The determination of the coal–Li deposit cooperative exploration model has important practical significance for improving the resource security system.

Measurement and analysis of airborne dust generation and dispersion from low-profile dump truck haulage in underground metalliferous mines

Exposure to harmful dust increases the risk of respiratory diseases among miners. This study employed high-resolution aerosol spectrometers to investigate the generation and dispersion of airborne dust resulting from operating low-profile dump trucks (LPDT) in a fully mechanised underground metalliferous mine (FMUMM). The aim is to measure and analyse the generation-transport-exposure dynamics of airborne dust from five different real-life scenarios due to the movement of loaded and empty LPDT in decline. The dust generation and dispersion profiles of various particle sizes, viz. ≤1 μm (PM1), ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), ≤5 μm, ≤10 μm (PM10), and ≤20 μm, and occupational dust types which are vital for dust suppression and occupational health hazards were analysed. The study revealed that the proportions of ≤1 μm, ≤2.5 μm, ≤5 μm and ≤10 μm dusts were in the range of 0.4–3.2 %, 0.9–6.1 %, 3.7–16.9 % and 15.1–38.8 %, respectively. Loaded LPDT generated 77 % and 213 % greater TAD than the empty LPDT in homotropal and antitropal ventilation scenarios, respectively. The morphological analysis revealed that the dust particles are angular and irregular in shape. The mine dust exhibited hydrophilic nature. The wetting of the decline floor reduced the aerosolisation of 0.23–5.0, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20, and >20 μm size dusts in the decline by 57 %, 62 %, 62 %, 67 %, and 72 %, respectively. The regular wet suppression application efficacy increases with particle size in the decline. The study utilised Ventsim software to create and simulate 3D decline model, providing insights into the transport and distribution of airborne particles of different sizes. The field measurement and simulation result imply that respirable particles (≤10 μm) settle slowly in the decline, indicating that dilution is an effective strategy for controlling dust exposure in FMUMMs.