Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a service provider to undertake a research project (COE 240601) aimed at assessing and quantifying dust contributing sources at the intake airways in South African underground mines for gold, coal, and diamonds. The project seeks to identify and characterize dust sources, evaluate their contribution to occupational exposure, and develop practical control measures to improve worker health and safety, ultimately supporting South Africa’s goal to eliminate Occupational Lung Diseases (OLDs) by 2034.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Conducting applied research to identify and characterize dust-generating sources in intake airways across specified mines (2 gold mines with backfill, 1 gold without backfill, 2 coal mines, 2 diamond mines).
• Assessing dust conditions considering geological factors and operational practices.
• Deploying real-time monitoring systems at multiple intake airway points for exposure profiling.
• Using tracer and airflow modeling methods to estimate and rank dust source contributions.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of ventilation optimization and traffic management interventions.
• Recommending practical dust control strategies, monitoring approaches, and milestone compliance measures.
• Validating results and incorporating industry input.

The project duration is 18 months, with 15 months dedicated to project activities and 3 months for administrative tasks.

Technical Requirements

• Research based on GAP 802 to identify dust sources in underground mines.
• Deployment of real-time dust monitoring systems at specified intake airway locations.
• Application of tracer and airflow modeling techniques (e.g., CFD, tracer methods) to quantify dust contributions.
• Assessment of operational interventions (ventilation, traffic management) through before-and-after or scenario analysis.
• Development of feasible methodologies suitable for the South African mining context.
• Preparation of comprehensive reports including literature review, dust source characterization, exposure profiles, modeling outcomes, control strategies, and final guidelines.
• Engagement with industry stakeholders for validation and input.

Skills Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in applied research related to dust and occupational hygiene.
• Expertise in sampling and exposure assessment in the South African Mining Industry (SAMI).
• Proficiency in airflow and dust movement analysis using tracer methods and CFD modeling.
• Experience in applying modeling techniques for dust and airflow analysis.
• Knowledge of mine ventilation systems and operational practices.
• Strong project management and report writing skills.
• Ability to validate findings through industry consultation and practical testing.
• Team members with at least 10 years of occupational hygiene experience, relevant qualifications, and specific expertise in dust sampling, modeling, and mine ventilation.