Study addresses the issue of dust that occurs around mining and colliery, moreover the research
provides recommendations on prevention of it. Author demonstrates the importance of the
investigation of this question, emphasizing the range of negative impact on health of miners but also residents. In this research as the focus area was chosen Aksu gold mining in Akmola region, 17 km north-east of Stepnogorsk.
Primary hypothesis of the study is to examine if phyto-vegetative barriers (or green spaces) between the mine and settlements can be used in one of two ways:
1) To change the system / wind direction (dispersion) or
2) For filtering polluted air (sedimentation).
The results of the research have confirmed that both approaches can be used. Moreover, experts
recommend to use creation of mixed tree-shrub green areas in designing mine landscaping. They also suggest to plant poplar (Pópulus) and elm (Ulmus) as a base (at least 50%), as well as silver oak (Elaeagnus commutata) and ash (Fraxinus). “Trees of the main species in isolated plantings are planted every 3 m in a row with a distance between rows of 3 m; the distance between trees of related species "2-2, 5 m; large shrubs are planted at a distance of 1-1, 5 m from each other; small - 0.5 m with a distance between rows 2 - 1.5 m. In order to accelerate the process of frontal closeness of plantings in an isolated planting within the massifs, additional shrubs can be introduced,” the report says.
It implies that if more trees and shrubs are planted around mines and mines (phyto-capture barrier), the less dust settles in the lungs of residents of nearby settlements, which directly affects the reduction in the number of lung diseases. For the further development of research, authors are willing to transfer the results into recommendations for planning mine operations.
Report is presented in Russian language, link for the download is attached below
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fg4IbDlkk0PenPREOo85MAyIz2o5rknM?usp=sharing