Dust clouds are a common sight during mining operations at nickel mine sites in Mindanao. During ore blasting, excavation, and transportation, large amounts of nickel dust fill the air. This not only coats surrounding vegetation with a thick "gray layer" and pollutes soil and water sources but also plagues frontline workers with respiratory issues. Additionally, dust dispersion has led to complaints from nearby residents, making dust control an urgent requirement for the sustainable operation of mine sites.

With their efficient "micron-level water mist dust capture" capability, water cannons have long been widely used in industrial dust control—from building material factories to mines. Given the high dust levels and complex scenarios of nickel mine sites, selecting the right type of water cannon is the key to accurately solving dust problems.

Fixed-base water cannons serve as the "stationary sentinels" of mine sites, ideal for installation at fixed dust-prone areas such as loading/unloading points and along transportation routes. They feature a stable structure and can spray with 360° rotation, enabling continuous dust suppression in specific areas. For example, when installed beside ore loading platforms, their water mist can precisely cover dust raised during loading and unloading. The downside is their immobility, requiring careful planning of installation locations in advance.

Vehicle-mounted water cannons act as the "mobile guardians" of mine sites. Mounted on pickup trucks or engineering vehicles, they can move flexibly across the site. In cases of sudden dust dispersion after blasting or dust at temporary transfer points, these water cannons can quickly reach the scene to suppress dust immediately. However, limited by vehicle load capacity, their water storage volume is relatively small, making them suitable for small-scale mobile operations.

Trailer-mounted water cannons are the "heavy-duty forces." Equipped with independent trailers, they can be towed by tractors and have larger water storage capacity and higher power than vehicle-mounted models. For large open-pit mining areas and extensive ore stockyards, they can operate over long distances and cover a wider area with a single water refill. The only drawback is their large turning radius, requiring careful operation on narrow roads.

Choosing the right water cannon also requires considering the mine site’s actual conditions: Large-scale mines should prioritize a combination of trailer-mounted and fixed-base water cannons to balance wide-area coverage and fixed-area control; medium and small-sized mines will find vehicle-mounted water cannons more flexible; if a mine site faces flammable and explosive risks, additional explosion-proof water cannons must be used to ensure safe operations.

Previously, a Southeast Asian nickel mine site combined fixed-base and trailer-mounted water cannons, reducing dust concentration by over 60% and significantly lowering the incidence of respiratory diseases among workers. By selecting the right type of water cannon based on their scale and the distribution of dust sources, Mindanao’s nickel mine sites can bid farewell to dust troubles and achieve green mining.