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Industrial and mining operations are classified as the primary sources of particulate matter (PM10) that pose substantial health and environmental risks, with much attention when situated in or near residential areas. The absence of a standardized approach for quantifying air pollutant fluxes in mining areas has been identified as a research gap, particularly given the increasing rate of mining extraction, especially in developing countries. This study used the AERMOD air pollutants dispersion model to analyze PM10 dispersion from the CIMERWA Cement Plant and adjacent mining sites in Rusizi District, Rwanda, throughout 2022. We developed methods to quantify PM10 horizontal and vertical fluxes and their emission rates within the framework of dispersion analysis. Results indicate high concentrations of PM10 in the vicinity of mining areas, with daily, hourly, monthly, and annual maximum mean ground-level concentrations of 158.86 µg m−3, 92.87 µg m−3, 46.15 µg m−3, and 27.65 µg m−3, respectively. Wind erosion, with a daily horizontal speed of 0.66 m s−1 and shear speed of 0.03 m s−1, contributes to a daily mean horizontal flux of 8.50 µg m−2 s−1 and vertical flux of 0.4 µg m−2 s−1 of PM10. Dispersion maps analysis highlights residents' exposure to significant levels of PM10 depicted with 28 discrete receptors in all directions. The circulation of polluted windy air masses substantially impacts regional air quality. The findings offer evidence-based recommendations for strategic mitigation measures targeted at residents, policymakers, stakeholders, and urban planners to address air quality issues arising from industrial mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, Romania is known as a mining site of mineral substances, including gold, silver, copper, lead, zin, uranium, manganese, salt, and coal, whereby their long periods of exploitation and extraction affected human health and the environment in various ways. In Moldova Nouă southwest region of Romania, we investigated the environmental impacts of mining activities on air quality over 2021. We quantified PM10 emission rates through in situ monitoring, dispersion modelling, and horizontal and vertical fluxes. Statistical metrics, including the fraction within factor 2 (FAC2), mean bias (MB), mean gross error (MGE), normalized mean bias (NMB), normalized mean gross error (NMGE), coefficient of efficiency (COE), index of agreements (IOAs), and Taylor diagram signifying standards deviation (SD), root mean squared error (RMSE), and correlation coefficient (R), were used to evaluate the reliability of modelling results against observation. Results conclude that PM10 dispersion agrees with MB, MGE, NMB, NMGE, COE, IOA, and Taylor diagram and moderately with FAC2 metrics. PM10 hotspot was investigated in the vicinity of the tailings ponds of 115.5 µg m−3 annual mean, 563.7 µg m−3 daily mean, 63.3 µg m−2 s−1 annual horizontal flux, and 3.0 µg m−2 s−1 annual vertical flux. PM10 dispersion was identified to expand to Moldova Nouă City and nearby country Serbia. Findings concluded that a windy air mass accumulation across the overburdened dumps and ponds causes the increase of PM10 in the air, resulting in the region's pollution. Therefore, results recommend adopting a strategic mitigation measure for residents, policymakers, stakeholders, and urban planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]