IJ
IJCRM
International Journal of Contemporary Research in Multidisciplinary
ISSN: 2583-7397
Open Access • Peer Reviewed
Impact Factor: 5.67

International Journal of Contemporary Research In Multidisciplinary, 2026;5(2):83-91

Assessment and Characterisation of HEMM-Induced Noise Pollution in Opencast Mining: A Field-Based Case Study

Author Name: Chandan Kumar;   Abhishek Kumar;   Anshu Kumar Yadav;   Anurag Lakra;   Jackson Lakra;   Praveen Lakra;   Udayant Kumar;   Drupad Yadav;  

1. Assistant Professor, Department of Mining Engineering, Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

2. Student, Department of Mining Engineering, Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

3. Student, Department of Mining Engineering, Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

4. Student, Department of Mining Engineering, Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

5. Student, Department of Mining Engineering, Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

6. Student, Department of Mining Engineering, Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

7. Student, Department of Mining Engineering, Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

8. Student, Department of Mining Engineering, Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Heavy Earth-Moving Machinery (HEMM), including hydraulic excavators, electric rope shovels, dumpers, dozers, graders, loaders and blast-hole drills, is indispensable to modern opencast mining but constitutes a major source of occupational and environmental noise. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can result in noise-induced hearing loss and may also contribute to annoyance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular stress, cognitive impairment and reduced communication efficiency. Previous mining studies have demonstrated that mobile equipment can produce high sound levels and that equipment-specific noise exposure remains an important occupational-health concern. The present study develops an integrated field-based framework for characterising HEMM-generated noise in an active opencast mine. Noise measurements were undertaken at operator cabins, near-field equipment locations and environmental receptor locations using precision sound-level meters and personal noise dosimeters. Equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (L_eq), peak sound pressure level, daily noise dose and octave-band characteristics were evaluated. Noise propagation toward mine boundaries and nearby receptors was additionally assessed to identify environmental noise hotspots. The measured near-field noise levels at 7 m ranged from 87.4 to 108.4 dBA, with rotary blast-hole drills and crawler dozers producing the highest levels. Operator cabin levels ranged from 76.0 to 95.0 dBA, while the calculated daily noise dose for selected high-exposure operators reached 135–240% under the adopted exposure criterion. Environmental monitoring indicated daytime and nighttime noise levels of 58.4 and 51.2 dBA, respectively, at a residential receptor approximately 1.2 km from the pit edge. The findings demonstrate that equipment-specific engineering controls, enclosed and acoustically treated operator cabins, preventive maintenance, exposure management, environmental barriers and appropriate hearing protection should be implemented as an integrated noise-management strategy. The study provides a practical framework for linking HEMM source characteristics with occupational exposure and off-site environmental impacts in opencast mining.

Keywords

Opencast mining; Heavy Earth-Moving Machinery; HEMM; noise pollution; sound pressure level; Leq; noise dose; noise-induced hearing loss; occupational exposure; noise mapping.