Life cycle assessment of niobium: A mining and production case study in Brazil

Abstract

In recent decades, environmental issues and the emphasis on sustainable development has resulted in increasing pressure to use natural resources more efficiently and reduce the generation and emission of industrial waste. Therefore, the metallurgical industry has focused on the exploration and processing of Niobium (Nb). The use of Nb in heat treatments at high temperatures as superalloys began in 1970. During recent years, the application of Nb for different uses, such as micro-alloyed steels, superalloys, thin films, medical implants, titanium and aluminium alloys, superconductors and copper alloys, and electrolytic and ceramic capacitors, has increased steadily. In this study, life cycle assessment tools were used to develop a diagrams which as proposed as a model for the LCA of Nb. For this propose, LCA tools were used to develop diagram of the beneficiation process of ore containing Nb, and quantify the mass balance with respect to the finished products and solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. The data showed that 2200 kg of FeNb and 300 kg of Nb2O5 were produced from 100 t of ore containing 2.5% of Nb, and that ore beneficiation damages the environment. Moreover, the use of Nb is essential in the metallurgical industry for the advancement of numerous fields in science and technology.