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    Find out how we helped reduce noise by 50% and doubled production at this Australian mine.

    Minetek New Acland Case Study

    MinetekNew Acland Group

    New Acland has faced pressure to meet strict noise requirements. There have been several challenges to meet the community expectations over 11 years.

    The New Hope Group have invested heavily in solutions to meet and exceed these difficult requirements. They have also focused on public relations initiatives to educate the community on how they are meeting and exceeding these expectations.

    Minetek has been able to support New Acland through this journey, allowing operations to run sustainably both day and night through the life of the mine.

    To find out more complete the form to get your copy of the case study.

    50%
    Reduction in Sound Emissions

    2.1MT
    Additional Coal Extracted Annually

    372,300
    Additional Hours Of Operation

    $354.3M
    Additional Coal Extracted Value

    Frequently asked questions.

    What are the benefits of sound attenuation?

    There are a number of benefits for implementing a sound attenuation program :

    1. Social. The community expectations and expectations are becoming more and more prominent and vocal. It is very important for mining operations to be aware of these expectations, as these impacts can either positively and or negatively impact the mining operations.

    2. Financial: There are positive financial impacts with the introduction of sound attenuation. This can include sites being able to operate 24/7 without having to shutdown mobile machinery due to noise complaints or noise compliance which can generate $millions of dollars in additional revenue opportunities.

    3. Operator exposure : The impact to the operators are significant. We are potentially halving the Sound Power Level on the machines, which can ensure your workers are protected.

    What additional services are offered?

    MINETEK offer a complete turnkey solution with our offering. This includes Pre & Post Noise Testing, Acoustic Camera work, noise modelling, site evaluations, installation, commissioning and ongoing compliance and regulatory works.

    What is a typical sound attenuation package?

    There is no typical sound package, as although there are standardized sound packages and sound kits are manufactured to suit specific machines, each sound package is carefully tailored to suit the clients need. 

    What machinery can you attenuate?

    Almost any mining machine can be attenuated. However, predominantly it is the larger mining trucks and mining excavators that are attenuated. Our solutions are OEM approved across all major brands including Liebherr, Komatsu, Caterpillar and Komatsu.

    What is the difference between Low – high or medium frequency noise?

    Low-frequency sound waves often sound “lower’ to the human ear. When you turn up the bass on your stereo, you are creating more low frequency sound. These are “rumbly” sounds that you feel as much as hear.

    Middle-frequency sounds are sounds that are between the 500 and 2000 Hz range, which is where you can intelligently determine human speech. Sounds in this range often have a tinny or horn-like quality.

    High-frequency sounds can start at above 2000 Hz, although there’s a very wide range of audible sound in this region. At 2000 Hz, we say the sound gives “presence” to speech, speech sounds more real and authentic. By 10,000 Hz, you’re hearing sounds like crashing cymbals and chirping birds.

    What is the difference between A-Weighted & Linear?

    dB sound pressure levels are unweighted. dBA levels are "A" weighted according to the weighting curves to approximate the way the human ear hears. For example, a 100 dB level at 100 Hz will be perceived to have a loudness equal to only 80 dB at 1000 Hz. The dBA scale is based on a child's hearing and was originally documented based on actual hearing tests to characterize the human ear's relative response to noise.

    Is hearing loss permanent?

    Yes!

    Permanent hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) are damaged or destroyed. A healthy cochlea contains approximately 40 thousand hair cells which are necessary to transmit sound vibrations to the brain.

    Exposure to excessive noise levels will damage the hair cells resulting in permanent, irreversible hearing loss.

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