In many Australian gold mines—particularly those operating in Western Australia's Goldfields, northern Queensland, and parts of South Australia—hyper-saline water is a readily available resource. Sourced from pit de-watering, underground inflows, or recycled process water, this briny water is often reused across site operations.
One of the most common uses? Dust control on haul roads and access roads.
At first glance, using saline water for dust suppression seems like a cost-effective solution—especially in remote regions where fresh water is scarce and expensive.
However, relying on hyper-saline water alone can deliver inconsistent results and create unintended operational and environmental risks.
Certain salts, especially hygroscopic salts, can absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Under ideal conditions—typically cooler, more humid times of day—these salts can help form a temporary crust on unsealed mine roads, reducing dust lift-off.
But this effect is highly conditional and often unreliable, particularly in the hot, dry climates typical of Australian goldfields. Factors that influence performance include:
When these variables don’t align—which is often the case in arid gold mining regions—the dust control performance of hyper-saline water quickly deteriorates.
In practice, using saline water for dust suppression in gold mining presents several key challenges:
Worse still, relying on saline water can introduce a range of long-term risks:
Gold mines looking for a more consistent and sustainable dust suppression method are turning to advanced binder technologies—engineered for Australia’s toughest mining conditions.
One standout solution is HydroTac: a chloride-free, biodegradable binder specifically designed for unsealed roads in mining environments.
Formulated using lignosulphonate and organic sugar compounds, HydroTac acts as a hygroscopic crusting agent. When applied, it binds surface particles together, forming a crust that suppresses dust - even as the surface dries.
It can be applied as a surface spray or incorporated directly into the road base for long-lasting stability. HydroTac is conveniently delivered in a concentrated liquid form ready to use. It is typically diluted in a water bowser at a concentration of 1.5% up to 20% depending on the specific requirement.
Once applied, the need for reapplication is minimal. Mines which typically rely on continuously spraying untreated water on haul road networks in order to control dust will dramatically reduce water usage and water cart hours by switching to HydroTac.
Unlike hyper-saline water, HydroTac:
To learn more about HydroTac, click the link below to download our fact sheet.
Download the HydroTac Fact Sheet
At Dust-A-Side Australia, we offer more than just products—we deliver complete, site-specific dust control and haul road management solutions. Our team combines decades of hands-on mining experience with the only independently accredited dust control program in the country.
Whether you're dealing with limited water availability, long haul distances, or harsh environmental conditions, we can help you reduce dust, lower maintenance costs, and meet your environmental compliance goals.
Call us today on 1800 662 387. Or click here to request a technical consultation.