Particulate matter (PM) is the most prevalent pollutant associated with surface mining operations, adversely affecting the health of mine workers. Using a combination of low-cost PM sensors and portable sampling devices, this research quantified the PM concentration and factors influencing its vertical transport inside a 100 m deep surface iron ore mine.Transport of ore through off-road trucks accounted for ∼ 70 % of the in-pit emissions. Also, differential settling and varying meteorological parameters along the vertical extent of the mine resulted in the escape of 17 % of PM2.5-10, 43 % of PM1-2.5, and 69 % of PM1to the mine’s surrounding atmosphere. Iron ore and carbon particles were identified as the major constituents of the airborne PM. The findings of this study demonstrate the application of low-cost sensors in monitoring PM concentration along the vertical extent of the mine, which can ultimately provide exposure estimates to the mine workers at different working locations.