A safer, smarter liquid spill solution

Mandatory Codes of Practice (COP) in the mining industry are regularly audited by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). These COPs are often audited against the COP guidelines that are published by the regulator. One important mandatory COP that addresses spills in mines is the mandatory ‘Prevention of Fires at Mines’.

High-performance industrial products manufacturer, Pratley highlights the significant advantage of mines relooking at the methods used to clean up liquid hydrocarbons or other nuisance spills to comply with the COP guideline.

Eldon Kruger, Marketing Director at Pratley, explains that sawdust might appear to be an inexpensive solution, but opting for this method is not always the safest. “In fact, when sawdust is used to absorb oil, petrol or diesel, it becomes highly flammable, creating a serious fire risk in already hazardous mining conditions,” he warns.

Pratley suggests use of an innovative absorbent product called Gunge Spunge® that is said to be a safer and more effective alternative for spill management in mining environments. In contrast to outdated solutions, Gunge Spunge® is a non-flammable absorbent mineral product that fully contains and removes oil and other liquid spills without leaving behind a residue. Many mines using traditional methods also rely on additional flammable solvent-based cleaners to deal with residues left behind, often compounding the danger. “Gunge Spunge® eliminates the need for secondary cleaning with flammable solvents. It contains and absorbs the entire spill effectively, leaving the area safer and significantly reducing the risk of both fire and slip-and-fall incidents.”

Unlike sawdust and peat moss which are bulky spill absorbents, Gunge Spunge® is supplied in easy-to-handle, compact 12 kg bags, making it ideal for easy storage, particularly in Trackless Mobile Machines (TMMs) with storage space constraints. It does not require any special storage or handling protocols due to its non-flammable and non-hazardous nature.

For more information visit: www.pratleyminerals.com