Analysis of life-cycle GHG emissions for iron ore mining and processing in China—Uncertainty and trends

Abstract

Total iron ore demand in China grew to 1.1 billion tonnes in 2013 as a result of ongoing urbanization and massive infrastructure development. Iron ore and steel production are major sources for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since China has committed to lowering carbon intensity to meet climate change mitigation goals, detailed studies of the energy use and GHG emissions associated with iron ore mining and processing can aid in quantifying the impact and effectiveness of emissions reduction strategies. In this study, a life-cycle model for mining and processing of Chinese iron ores is developed and used to estimate GHG emissions. Results show that the mean life-cycle GHG emissions for Chinese iron ore production are 270 kg CO2e/tonne, with a 90% confidence interval ranging from 210 to 380 kg CO2e/tonne. The two largest contributors to overall GHG emissions are agglomeration (60%) and ore processing (23%). Iron content (ore grade) varies from 15% to 60% and is the largest contributor (40%) to the uncertainty of the results. Iron ore demand growth and the depletion of rich ore deposits will result in increased exploitation of lower grade ores with the concomitant increase in energy consumption and GHG emissions.