Biological dust control:
Harden the surface for better roads.
Biological dust control uses a natural bio-cementation process to bind loose soil particles into a hardened surface layer. On haul roads, tailings storage facilities and stockpiles, that layer holds dust in place, so mines can use up to 90% less water\* for dust suppression. It is a field-tested alternative to water-based dust suppression, bitumen emulsion and chemical dust suppressants.
*These figures reflect outcomes from a project at the GCO mine in Senegal*
How biological dust control works
Terrabind™ works through bio-cementation, a natural process in which organic compounds create mineral bridges that bind soil particles together, resulting in a solidified surface layer.
The layer helps reduce particle erosion and dust lift-off, which supports long-lasting road stabilisation and dust suppression. Because it stays active far longer it needs fewer re-applications, and that is where most of the water saving comes from. The underlying process was originally developed at Murdoch University in Western Australia and further developed by Bind-X for mining conditions.
Discover how our technology works in this video that explains the science behind Terrabind™.
Terrabind™ is delivered as a dry powder and dissolved in water on site.
It is applied in two ways:
- Spray-on: sprayed onto an existing road to form a bound crust on the wearing course. Around 70% of Bind-X sites use this method.
- Build-in: mixed into graded material, then mixed and compacted into a stabilised layer of 10 to 15 cm, usually during road construction.
Both methods run on the equipment already on site.
solid roads
Road stabilisation that reduces haul road maintenance
Terrabind™ delivers performance comparable to bitumen-based binders, without the common drawbacks. It strengthens the surface wearing course by binding soil particles into a more resilient layer.
That supports reduced wear and tear on roads and creates a smoother, lower-friction surface, which can reduce road and equipment maintenance and save time and resources in day-to-day operations.
If you are weighing up the two, we compared them in our article on bitumen for dust control.
Find out how our dust control method can help create more durable, stable haul roads in your mining operation.
prevent erosion and material loss
Dust control on tailings storage facilities and stockpiles
Terrabind™ biological dust control isn’t just for roads. It can also help reduce dust fallout on tailings storage facilities and stockpiles.
Tailings dust can affect both the environment and nearby communities, so effective tailings dust control is essential. Compared with traditional options such as polymers, our biological approach can require less frequent application, use less water, and is designed to break down naturally over time. As Terrabind™ hardens, it forms a more resilient surface layer that can strengthen with repeated applications.
In windy conditions, mine stockpiles can just blow away causing product loss and reducing productivity. Terrabind™ can be used to secure the surface of stockpiles while being a clean, lower-carbon alternative to chemical solutions that are widely used in the industry.
See how a zinc mine changed dust management on its tailings storage facility.
responsible mining
Cleaner operations for communities and the environment
Biological dust control helps reduce airborne particles on site. Terrabind™ is designed to bind fine particulate matter, including PM2.5, so more dust stays at ground level instead of in the air. That supports air quality for workers and for neighbouring communities.
Terrabind™ is formulated without added toxic components based on available testing, and its biological mode of action is designed to minimise environmental impact. For mining operations, that contributes to water and air quality targets and supports a social licence to operate. See how dust control fits into responsible mining.
We are reaping the rewards of implementing Bind-X on our mine. It’s reduced dust for the local community, is far less maintenance on our haul roads, and is cleaner for the environment.
