Environmental optimisation of mine scheduling through life cycle assessment integration

Robert Pell,Laurens Tijsseling,Luke W Palmer,Hylke J Glass,Xioayu Yan,Frances Wall,Xianlai Zeng,Jinhui Li

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.11.022

Robert Pell, Laurens Tijsseling + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.11.022

Copy DOI

Abstract

Life cycle assessments (LCA) are useful to quantify the environmental costs of mining projects, however the application of LCA is often a retrospective environmental measurement of operating mines. This paper presents a novel methodology of carrying out a LCA to generate life cycle impact assessment data that can form an environmental block model of a deposit. These spatially explicit data can then be used as a constraint within long-term mine scheduling simulations. The results indicate that significant reductions in global warming impact can be achieved at a small economic cost. For example using an environmental constraint it was possible to achieve 91.9% of the global warming impact whilst achieving 95.9% of the net present value compared to the baseline. Different constraints and economic scenarios are explored and multi-criteria decision analysis is carried out. This approach enables environmental considerations to be included in strategic mine planning. This is important because mining will continue to form an important part of our society for the foreseeable future. Integrating environmental considerations into the earliest stages of mine planning can assist in driving environmentally responsible raw material extraction.

Highlights

This study proposes that environmental data for mining activities can be calculated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and included in mine scheduling simulations
This study examined the environmental costs of producing iron ore concentrate and highlighted that the use of grinding media as a major contributor to environmental impacts
The method is based on the Optimum LCA Performance (OLCAP) method described by Azapagic and Clift (1999) to meet the needs of the mine scheduling approach

Summary

Introduction

This study proposes that environmental data for mining activities can be calculated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and included in mine scheduling simulations. Mining is an essential part of society, providing raw materials for consumer goods and supporting industrial development (Carvalho, 2017) and will remain so for the foreseeable future (Elshkaki et al, 2018). As demand for raw materials rises, the quality and grades of ore deposits is decreasing, and as a result it is predicted that global warming emissions will increase (Norgate and Haque, 2010). In order to maintain current levels or reduce this for the future requires improved efficiency through the adoption of new and enhanced techniques within the mining industry. Mining companies can reduce economic risk from improved environmental performance as governments and consumers demand increased social and environmental responsibility (Wall et al, 2017)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion