Abstract
Cleaner Production (CP) addresses precautionary, site-specific environmental measures to reduce emissions and assess resource efficiency potentials at the point of origin by analyzing operational material and energy flows. The approach is generally based on the criteria quality as well as environmental/occupational health and safety, and promotes their integration. The paper presents options for applying CP to aggregate mining, based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and illustrated by results from a study of small-scale industrial aggregate mining in Hoa Binh Province (Vietnam). The regulatory framework to limit the impact of mining on the environment is largely comparable to international standards and is suitably enforced. Despite gaining experience through the practical handling of enforcement procedures over the long term, there is still a considerable potential to optimize CP strategies in Vietnam’s aggregate mining industry. This is shown by the results of a survey of aggregates mining companies in Hoa Binh Province as well as on-site data collection to determine the technological characteristics of production facilities alongside economic and environmental factors. The assessment of the survey is supported by LCA results for: (a) the existing situation; and (b) the scenario of a merging of companies, undertaken to improve the resource efficiency of the aggregate mining in Hoa Binh. Findings can help implement an integrated approach to foster the sustainable mining of building aggregates.
Highlights
We focus on the engineering and environmental perspective to identify Cleaner Production (CP) technologies at the level of aggregate mining companies, e.g., aggregate production
The collected data were used to conduct an Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at the micro level of the mining companies according to ISO 14040:2006 [9,10], including the interpretation of results and conclusions for CP strategies in the Hoa Binh aggregate mining sector, as well as recommendations on how to raise eco-efficiency and socio-efficiency from an engineering and environmental perspective
The scope of the LCA investigation was the comparative investigation of the impacts on the environment of 11 representative aggregate mines in Hoa Binh Province and the identification of their resource efficiency potential to enhance the sustainability of mining operations
Summary
In the wake of major economic reforms introduced in 1986 (Doi Moi), Vietnam’s planned economy has been transformed into a “market economy with a socialist orientation”. Achieving steady growth of over 5%, low labor costs and a stable political environment, Vietnam has enjoyed a positive reputation over the past few years as an attractive business location. In 2016, the country’s population was Sustainability 2018, 10, 525; doi:10.3390/su10020525 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability. Sustainability 2018, 10, 525 steady growth of over 5%, low labor costs and a stable political environment, Vietnam has enjoyed a positive reputation over the past few years as an attractive business location. In 2016, the country’s population theUS$197 nominal. While the country structures are still heavily are still heavily and 70% oflives the in population lives in is rural areas,trend thereofismigration a strong trend of agricultural andagricultural. 70% of the population rural areas, there a strong towards migration towards the urban centers.
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