Which method is NOT an effective way to suppress dust in surface mining?

Reducing workforce size is not an effective method for suppressing dust in surface mining because it does not directly address the generation and dispersion of dust particles. Dust suppression methods like water spraying, chemical dust suppressants, and vegetation planting actively work to minimize dust emissions.

Water spraying helps by adding moisture to the terrain, which binds dust particles together and prevents them from becoming airborne. Chemical dust suppressants, specifically designed to reduce dust, can coat the surfaces to effectively hold down particles. Vegetation planting introduces plant life that stabilizes the soil and absorbs moisture, also contributing to dust control.

In contrast, simply reducing the workforce may inadvertently increase dust levels due to reduced control over dust-generating activities, thus demonstrating that workforce size does not contribute to effective dust management strategies in surface mining operations.