Strategies for Noise Control.

Minetek Sound. Mining sound management solutions.

Copyright 2022 © Minetek Pty Ltd

Strategies for noise control.

Industry noise challenges

The importance of effective noise management for the mining industry cannot be overstated. Noise control has grown in
intensity as pressure to meet environmental regulations increases and government bodies like the Environment Protection
Authority (EPA) continue to enforce strict requirements and penalties.

The main drivers of these regulations are:

1. Reducing the hearing and health impacts for workers.

2. Protecting neighbouring communities from the effects of noise exposure.

Health & hearing impacts of noise

The most prolific health consequence caused by noise is hearing loss. When an individual is exposed to loud noise for
extended periods, the possibility of irreparable hearing damage is inevitable. This is referred to as Noise-Induced Hearing
Loss (NIHL) or industrial deafness. This type of hearing loss is usually painless and gradual but over time it can result in
permanent loss of hearing. The health impacts of noise are not limited to hearing loss. NIHL symptoms include; distorted or
muffled sounds, and difficulties hearing or understanding people. Prolonged exposure may result in tinnitus causing a
ringing sensation in the ear. Noise can and does significantly affect both physical and mental health in a number of other
ways including increased heart rate, profound nervousness, anxiety, sweating, difficulty sleeping, irritability, increased
stress and lack of concentration.

One report has conservatively estimated that if just 20% of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in the U.S were prevented,
the economic benefit would exceed $123 billion per year. Furthermore, another report on MSHA violations reported that
U.S mines paid over $2,739,667 USD in penalties for noise violations between the years 2000 and 2014. The reality is too
many miners are still experiencing permanent noise-induced hearing loss as a result of their work. Under the Work Health
and Safety Regulation 2017 workers who frequently use PPE for hearing protection must be provided with audiometric
testing within 3 months of commencing work and at least every two years following.

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Why it matters for your mine site.

Safety regulations

Safe Work Australia has indicated that noise-induced hearing loss is a ‘priority disorder for national action under the
Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022' due to the acute consequences and large number of workers
affected. Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, implemented Australia-wide with the exclusion of Victoria and
Western Australia, set out the requirements for noise control in the workplace. Noise levels must not exceed 85dB for
prolonged periods (up to eight hours).

Further noise regulations are enforced by government bodies like state Environment Protection Authorities who issue
environment protection licenses to industrial premises under legislation such as the Protection of the Environment Act 1997
(POEO Act).

Length of time for noise exposure before standards are exceeded (Safe Work Australia)

8 hours

6 hours

4 hours

2 hours

0 hours
85dBA 88dBA 91dBA 94dBA 97dBA 100dBA 103dBA 106dBA 109dBA 112dBA

Environmental and community regulations

As environmental and community awareness increases scrutiny surrounding industry noise, government noise regulations
tighten in response. Inadequate and non-compliant noise management will result in fines and higher expenditures for
mining companies. Fines, compensation payouts, machine replacements and strict limitations to production schedules can
be expected for mine sites that do not take action to comply with the noise regulations that in turn protect worker hearing
and neighbouring communities.

In 2020, one Hunter Valley coal mine was fined $15,000 per breach for allegedly exceeding noise limits by only three
decibels.
Another coal mine, located southwest of Narrabri, was also fined $15,000 per breach by the EPA following a four-
decibel breach of its daytime noise limit.
Intense community pressure to reduce noise resulted in the New Acland mine site having their operation restricted to
just 9 hours each day, costing them millions in production time until effective noise attenuation was implemented.
Reportedly 1 in 8 compensation claims made to Coal Mines Insurance is for industrial deafness.
An estimated 90% of miners have developed a hearing impairment by the age of 50.
The mining industry has the highest incidence rate of noise-induced hearing loss.

Compliance with noise regulations is essential for maximising productivity, operating hours and ultimately profits. Your mine
site could be operational 24/7 if the regulatory noise requirements are met. In addition, community relations and company
sentiment could see dramatic improvements, benefiting the relationship between the mine site and the community in the
long run.
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How to comply.

There are three main types of engineering noise control that can be utilised to meet regulation and protect worker hearing
within industrial workplaces.

Mining Excavator Case Study

1. Controlling noise propagation
Vehicle Excavator
Noise propagation is controlled by blocking the sound waves from
travelling. This can be achieved using enclosures, barriers, active noise Model Liebherr R9800
control, reverberation control or reactive/dissipative mufflers.
Pre attenuation 126dBA

Quality-engineered sound suppression is necessary as poorly Post attenuation 114dBA

designed componentry and solutions can dramatically hinder the
Result 12dBA sound reduction
performance and life of machinery.
Procuring a well-engineered noise solution provides a great return on Mine boundary 1000m closer than prior to
investment, with lower maintenance costs, increased cooling sound attenuation
capacity & faster installation times.

2. Controlling noise at the source

Controlling noise at the source includes the substitution of processes,

materials, and equipment to reduce noise. This is achieved by sourcing
quieter machinery and machinery parts, minimising the number of
machines operating at any one time and maintaining machines and
equipment to reduce mechanical shock between parts, and therefore
reduce noise.

Reducing the number of operating machines can reduce productivity

and ultimately ROI.
Modifications to work processes and equipment can be time-
consuming and costly with additional red tape and further
assessments required.
Quieter machines and machinery parts may have reduced
performance, longevity or power.

3. Employer noise control

Employer noise control is a supplementary noise control method

whereby individual workers wear effective personal protective equipment
(PPE). Common types of personal protective equipment (PPE) include
disposable or individually moulded earplugs, ear canal caps, semi-inserts
and earmuffs.

Employer noise control cannot manage the noise or vibrations that

cause community disturbances and regulation breaches.
Workers must be trained in the proper use, fit, care and maintenance
of PPE.

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The Minetek solution.

Minetek can develop a sound management strategy for the life of your mine. A mine control plan that is tailored to your
needs and adaptable to changes in operational demands, revised legislation, and increased community scrutiny. Minetek’s
innovative strategies will ensure that your mine site is effectively managing sound now and into the future with proactive
measures in place. Minetek can reduce your sound levels and increase your operating hours.

We provide a complete suite of essential services to keep our clients compliant.

Sound attenuation Sound testing

Minetek enables the world’s quietest mining equipment
and we have a proven track record of attenuation for
OEM machinery such as Liebherr, Caterpillar, Komatsu,
Hitachi and JCB. Minetek’s sound attenuation packages
are innovation engineered to ensure quieter operations
without sacrificing operational and maintenance ability,
machine integrity, airflow or weight requirements.
Minetek's comprehensive sound testing is designed to meet
ISO 6393/6395 standard requirements. Minetek's testing
solutions enable assessment of noise emissions, identify the
optimal locations for sound attenuation installations,
evaluate the performance of equipment or installations and
can demonstrate your mine site's compliance with regulation
and community expectations.

Sound visualiser Fleet noise monitoring

Minetek’s innovative sound visualiser identifies the
excessive noise sources within your fleet by creating a
thermographic representation of sound. Mobile and
deployed to your site, the sound visualiser produces
images within seconds so that the Minetek team can
understand, analyse and interpret the sound profile of
your site. What follows is a comprehensive noise
reduction strategy tailored to your site.
Many sites are obligated by law to conduct mobile fleet
noise monitoring up to three times per year. Minetek’s
advanced fleet noise monitoring meets required testing
sensitivity and repeatability standards whilst minimising
downtime and disruption. Minetek utilise strategically
positioned microphones that speed up the monitoring
process, provide adaptability and pinpoint a selection of
different testing locations.

Benefits of Minetek sound solutions

Noise reduction
Prevention of overheating via engineered designs
Ease of maintenance access
Less downtime
Compliance with strict government regulations
Reduction of fines
Improved community relations
Extended operating hours
Increased productivity
Improved work environments

04
Proven results.

Case Study - New Acland Mine Site

Minetek provided a full turnkey sound attenuation solution to New

Hope Group’s New Acland mine site. Minetek’s solution reduced Mining Haul Truck Case Study
the overall sound emitted from the site by more than 50%.
Vehicle Mining truck
The initial project included a detailed analysis of New Acland's
entire site. This analysis comprehensively included all plant Model Caterpillar 793
equipment, fixed and mobile machinery and was carried out on
Pre attenuation 123dBA
weekends and nights to minimise the impact on the site's
operations and production. Post attenuation 115dBA

Result 8dBA sound reduction

Minetek's solution enabled the site to increase operational time
from just 54% to 96%. A huge 372,300 additional hours of Mine 1,194m closer than prior to
operation each year enabling the site to extract a further 2.1MT of boundary sound attenuation
coal valued at $354.3m each year.

Minetek offers onsite sound assessment, consultation, custom engineering, installation, servicing and guaranteed results.
Designed by aeronautical experts and world-renowned engineers, Minetek delivers reliable, safe and long-term sound
solutions. Meet regulations, protect miner hearing and aid community relations with a Minetek sound solution. Book a one-
on-one call with our expert team to discuss your next mining project.

References
1. Environment Protection Authority (NSW) -
https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/2021/epamedia210428-night-noise-limit-breach-results-in-$15000-fine-for-hunter-valley-coal-mine
2. Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union -
https://commoncause.cfmeu.org.au/2021/07/28/worried-about-your-hearing-you-may-have-a-claim/
3. National Library of Medicine -
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848488/
4. Safe Work Australia -
https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/hazardous-manual-tasks/hearing-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-the-facts
5. NSW Government -
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2017-0404
6 - Environment Protection Authority (NSW) -
https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/2020/epamedia200309-narrabri-coal-fined-$15000-for-excessive-noise
7 - Parliament of Australia
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Sport/HearingHealth/Report_1/
8 - Environment Protection Authority (NSW) -
https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-regulation/licensing/environment-protection-licences

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Phone 1300 963 801
+ 61 02 6578 8600

Email sales@minetek.com

Location 1 Civic Avenue, Singleton, NSW 2330

Copyright 2022 © Minetek Pty Ltd