By nature, mining is dirty work, making industrial cleaning a critical part of ensuring an efficient and profitable operation.
Mining is one of the most hazardous industrial sectors, but proper cleaning processes can greatly affect the safe running of mining operations.
As with all aspects of a mining operation, industrial cleaning needs to prioritise risk reduction, the complete elimination of risk, and the prevention of job-related illnesses.
A clean operation promotes a culture that continuously corrects unsafe behaviour, believes that all injuries are preventable, and supports a risk-based health and safety management system that prevents the repetition of incidents and adheres to simple, non-negotiable standards, rules, and regulations.
Why industrial cleaning is important
Industrial cleaning in mines is important as it ensures a safe and healthy working environment for workers and the local community.
Cleaning allows mining operations to take place in an efficient manner, by freeing up workers to concentrate on their specific job requirements in an unhindered fashion.
A clean environment also promotes the longevity and effective operation of machinery on which modern-day mining is considerably reliant. Clean machinery will experience less wear and tear, and it is also easier for operators to identify any potential service or maintenance requirements on clean machinery.
Cleaning contributes to clean air quality by removing harmful contaminants and reducing the amount of dust present.
Cleaning is also key to maintaining infrastructure.
Navigating the challenges associated with industrial cleaning
Naturally cleaning hundreds of kilometres below ground presents unique challenges which require specially trained personnel, equipment and chemicals to ensure a safe and efficient cleaning procedure.
Careful considerations need to be taken regarding the cleaning process and chemicals used so as not to do more damage than good.
Cleaning chemicals need to be carefully selected, taking precautions regarding factors such as toxicity, corrosiveness, and volatility into account. These chemicals should also have no impact on the surrounding environment.
Using the right methods and products will ensure an efficient cleaning operation, reducing the time and resources needed for cleaning.
CSG offers a turn-key industrial cleaning solution
CSG offers a turnkey cleaning solution that places highly trained cleaning staff equipped with the correct skills, equipment, and cleaning methods at the heart of mining operations.
This solution can handle all mining cleaning requirements including, but not limited to, cleaning of spillages and build-up underneath and next to conveyor belts, screens and crushers in the plant.
It can also handle the cleaning of spillages and build-up in all trenches, pollution dams, storm water canal systems, feed tunnels, and around structures. It can also clean plant ground floors with Bobcats, pump houses, and silt trap pits and remove waste and slurry between pipelines. Cleaning operations can also include pruning and the removal of vegetation as required.
Industrial cleaning in mines extends to maintaining a high standard of housekeeping throughout the plant and can include certain maintenance tasks, such as painting guard rails, floor markings, and signage to ensure worker safety.
CSG’s cleaning staff are well trained and equipped for industrial cleaning. They utilise equipment such as spades, pick axes, and wheelbarrows, as well as powered tools such as jackhammers, high-pressure cleaners, Bobcat skid steer machines, and excavators, to effectively carry out cleaning tasks with minimal impact on facility productivity. This is done while maintaining CSG’s own high standards relating to health, safety, and environmental impact.
