Quickspray solves problem at Auckley
Current legislation – regulated by the HSE and local councils – makes it highly unlikely that planning permission for any new quarrying, mining or transfer station application would be granted without a cohesive dust suppression policy in place. So how do operators of older, smaller quarries cope with such regulations?
Hanson Aggregates appear to have found the answer at Auckley Quarry, near Doncaster. Opened in 1940 by Stephen Toulson & Son as a local sand and gravel quarry, it is now used for processing aggregates from other nearby quarries.
Despite being a small site, Auckley still suffers from the common problem of airborne dust caused by on-site machinery and vehicles. If this dust is not controlled, it could extend on to the main road outside the quarry and cause a major road safety issue.
With no fixed dust-suppression equipment on site but a high level of vehicle movements, a quick and effective solution was needed to control the dusty conditions around the entrance and haul roads.
At this year’s Hillhead exhibition Hanson identified a suitable remedy on the ACE Plant stand, where Hanson representatives were impressed by the Quickspray dust-suppression unit attachment, which can be fitted on the front of any telescopic handler/loader.
After the show, a decision was made to evaluate Quickspray at Auckley by hiring a unit from ACE. Using their own telehandler for this application, Hanson soon realized the advantages; not only was the quarry able to efficiently suppress the dust, there was also no risk of carrying sand out on to the public roads.
A Hanson spokesman said: ‘We particularly liked the quick-hitch attachment and the ease of changing [from Quickspray] to forks, buckets or man cage. The water coverage is effective and even; the water output is variable and, because it can be delivered in a fine mist, usage is reduced, which means less downtime when filling.’
With a capacity of 1,800 litres, Quickspray is suitable for use at smaller sites that lack the availability of tractors for towing larger dust-suppression units. Moreover, the unit’s frugal use of water keeps costs down and helps improve a company’s environmental credentials.
‘Thanks to a Kevlar hydraulic spinning-disc applicator, Quickspray uses significantly less water than other systems, producing anything from a fine mist to a heavy drizzle,’ explained ACE’s managing director, Frank Cundell. ‘A 1in outlet is also available to allow the Quickspray to be used as a water bowser for refilling dust-suppression systems fitted to other equipment, such as crushing plants.’
Having proved its value at Auckley, Hanson are now considering purchasing the Quickspray unit, as part of a programme of improved environmental controls.
ACE Plant, Cosgrove Road, Old Stratford, Milton Keynes MK19 6LA; tel: (01908) 562191; fax: (01908) 260461; email: [email protected]; website: www.aceplant.co.uk
