Mining life cycle modelling: a cradle-to-gate approach to environmental management in the minerals industry |
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| Institution: | 1. MME, Queen''s University, K7L3N6, Canada;2. Mining Engineering, Queen''s University, K7L3N6, Canada;1. Cátedra UNESCO/UNITWIN WiCop, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain;2. Department of Earth Sciences, Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, Campus El Carmen s/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain;3. Department of Water, Environment, Civil Engineering and Safety, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Breitscheidstraße 2, 39114, Magdeburg, Germany;1. Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín, Medellín 050041, Colombia;2. Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;1. Energy Center, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Chile, Tupper 2007, Santiago, Chile;2. Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Biotecnología, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago, Chile;3. Institute of Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use (IER), University of Stuttgart, Heßbrühlstraße 49A, 70565, Stuttgart, Germany;4. Department of Stochastic Simulation and Safety Research for Hydrosystems (IWS/SC SimTech), University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 5a, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany;5. Department of Mining Engineering, University of Chile, Tupper 2069, Santiago, Chile;6. Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC), University of Chile, Tupper 2007, Santiago, Chile |
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| Abstract: | It is common practise in mining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies to use a predefined set of data to represent mining production systems. Besides this, very little is added to improve data quality, and essential mining process details which affect the ultimate environmental impacts is rarely taken into account. Some significant omissions include exploration and development work, mining method used, production, ore losses, location and the mining/processing method dependent factors that govern the nature of discharges to the environment. The mining system is often represented as a black-box, not lending itself to the interpretation of different processes used in minerals production. The generic data used are often inadequate for a mining LCA, and cannot be used as an accurate account of mining environmental burdens contributing to more complex systems “down-stream”, such as metals, building, chemical or food industries. Therefore, the main objective of the mining LCA model presented in this paper was to develop a tool that is able to represent the mining system in a comprehensive way. To attain this objective, the mining system was studied in more detail, as it is commonly practised during mine feasibility and design stages. It (LICYMIN) was developed as part of an international research project led by Imperial College London. The model integrates the mine production, processing, waste treatment and disposal, rehabilitation and aftercare stages of a mine's life within an LCA framework. The development work was carried out in collaboration with several industrial partners in Europe, including Bakonyi Bauxitbánya Kft. in Hungary. The model structure, database development and examples of field applications from industrial sites are presented. |
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