Noise Mapping of a Highly Mechanised Coal Mine Using Measured Noise and GPS Data

This study aimed to produce a noise map by determining the noise levels in the different parts of the highly mechanized coal mine and to compare them with the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) prescribed permissible limits. A total of 497 Global Positioning System (GPS) variables were collected from the mine at varying intervals according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and DGMS guidelines to measure sound pressure levels (SPL). The GPS receiver interfaced with the real time octave band analyzer allowed simultaneous measurement of noise levels and their GPS data. Measured information with GPS variables were exported to ArcGIS software for generating the noise map. Results showed that noise levels were higher than the permissible limits in most parts of the mine, the maximum and minimum average noise levels being were 102 dB (A) and 54 dB (A), mean equivalent A-weighted sound pressure level (L_Aeq) was 73±7.3 and L_Aeq were ranging between 81-93 dB (A) of drilling, dozer, loader & silo, 71-80 dB (A) at workshop & shovel working locations, 61-70 dB (A) at various haul roads, siding & dump yard locations, and 50-60 dB (A) at roads respectively. The results suggest that interpolating noise levels with GPS variables can enhance the visualization of the noise map and has the potential to be more effective at informing policy decision-making, and actions to be taken as a result of high noise levels.