Comprehensive evaluation of potential coal mine dust emissions in an open-pit coal mine in Northwest China

Abstract Coal mining in China is continually increasing, and the associated emitted coal mine dust of growing environmental occupational concern. In this study, deposited (DD) was analysed three different regions an active, highly-volatile bituminous open-pit Xingjian Province, Northwest China: working fronts, tailings handling sites, road traffic sites. Samples were for particle size, geochemical mineralogical patterns, then compared with respirable DD fractions (RDDs, Furthermore, RDD samples subjected to analysis specific biological response or toxicological indicators (oxidative potential, OP). The results demonstrated: i) large differences size composition among from handling, front ii) a strong influence moisture contents ash yields on and, accordingly, potential emissions, iii) enrichment multiple elements (such as Nb, Th, Cr, Sr, Li, As, Pb, Cu, Zr Ni) fronts their worked parent seams, mostly attributed machinery, tyre brake wear emissions deposition gangue zones, iv) low OP values studied mine, which works high-quality coal, being influenced by Mn, sulphate anatase (TiO2) contents, v) impact operations areas levels air pollutants, such high PM upper parts UFP bottom (due vehicle machinery lower dispersive conditions). data presented here demonstrate necessity extracting more deeply fraction dusts future studies health effects these materials because finer mineralogically geochemically rocks.