Life Cycle Based Air Pollution Analysis and Management for Open Pit Mining

Abstract

Mining activities are responsible for deteriorating the air quality at lo­cal or receptor level. In this paper, a life cycle based air quality modeling system (LCAQMS) for the mining is proposed. The aim of the model is to integrate differ­ent environmental models for understanding the impact of mining activities and THE effect of various atmospheric factors toward the vulnerability of air quality. The system is based on a life cycle assessment model, artificial neural network model, air dispersion model, and multicriteria decision model which is used to develop air emission inventory, carbon footprint analysis, prediction of the pol­lutant concentration, and air pollution control solutions respectively. The model is applied to the open pit copper mine, USA. The results reveal that NO x (39.6%), SO 2 (25.8%), CO (17%), PM 10 (10.7%), and PM 2.5 (3.6%) are the profound pollu­tants produced during copper mining. The study also helps to analyze the envi­ronmental impacts based on various indicators such as acidification and climate change. Prediction of pollutants at ground level have been determined and fur­ther validated with field data at different monitoring stations. Thus, the LCAQMS can serve as a mine-targeted air pollution model which helps to assess and pre­dict the air quality with the selection of a cost-effective solution for air pollution.