Consumption Of Mineral Resources Research Articles

Environmental impact assessment of Materialization Stage of prefabricated buildings based on LCA and WTP

In recent years, prefabricated buildings have developed rapidly because of their high efficiency and time saving, but the large consumption of resources has also led to many environmental problems. In order to explore the impact of prefabricated buildings on the environment, the environmental impact assessment of the prefabricated buildings based on Life Cycle Assessment Theory (LCA) and Willingness to Pay Theory (WTP) was carried out. First of all, this article combines field research and literature research, using BIM modeling methods to obtain the engineering quantity of prefabricated and cast-in-place buildings. Secondly, analyzing the whole process of the two construction modes based on the life cycle theory, calculate and obtain the consumption list. Next, the ReCiPe method is used to evaluate the environmental impact of prefabricated buildings, and five types of midpoint environmental impact assessment results are obtained: greenhouse gas emissions, fine particulate matter generation, acid gas emissions, energy and mineral resource consumption, etc. Finally, based on the theory of WTP, all kinds of environmental effects are unified for comparative analysis. The results show that the environmental load of the prefabricated construction method is greater than that of the cast-in-place method. It is necessary to further improve the standardization in the production technology and management methods to obtain more advantageous environmental performance.

АНАЛИЗ СОСТОЯНИЯ, ПЕРСПЕКТИВ И ПРОБЛЕМ ОСВОЕНИЯ РЕСУРСОВ УГЛЕВОДОРОДОВ И УГЛЯ В АРКТИКЕ В СВЯЗИ С ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИМИ, ГЕОПОЛИТИЧЕСКИМИ И ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИМИ РЕАЛИЯМИ

The current state of the production of fossil fuels in the Arctic has been analyzed. It is shown that the Rrealization of the high potential of the Arctic is impossible without the active promotion of high-tech developments of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” (“Industry 4.0”). Extremely difficult natural and climatic conditions, remoteness from the main regions of consumption of mineral resources and an in-sufficient level of geological and geophysical study of the land and offshore areas of the Arctic hinder its development. The high level of vulnerability of the Arctic ecosystem is substantiated on specific examples. As a result of 7 years of research, the genesis of a previously unknown phenomenon of powerful explosive degassing of the Earth with the formation of giant craters is substantiated. It is substantiated that significant breakthroughs in various areas of industrial production and various scientific research are possible only at a new level of technical and technological development “Industry 4.0” at the levels of lithosphere-hydrosphere-atmosphere-space.

Static and Dynamic Performance of Two Stage Concrete

Concrete is arguably the most important construction material in the world. In the last decades, it has been reported that infrastructures faced extreme static and dynamic loads which caused structural catastrophic disasters [1]. The increase usage of conventional concrete in engineering industries led to high consumption of mineral resources which caused several environmental damages related to reduction in the rocket layers [2], besides, the economical damages due to the high demand of natural resources materials which rises the cost of construction [3]. Therefore, the utilization of recycled waste rubber (steel wires) in concrete can be a sustainable solution for waste construction developments [4]. Recently, two stage concrete (TSC) (non-traditional concrete) was introduced. Placing of coarse aggregate followed by injecting the cementitious materials among the aggregate layers in the formwork are the basic steps of producing TSC. Evaluating the static and dynamic performance of TSC were the objectives of this study. Cement, aggregates, water, recycled steel wires of rubber tires were utilized in manufacturing TSC specimens. The compressive characteristic and impact resistance of TSC test specimens were evaluated. Results showed that steel wires improved the dynamic behaviour of TSC, while a slight to no effect was observed on its compressive characteristics. This study demonstrates the potential to engineer sustainable TSC mixtures.

Optimal vehicle size and driving condition for extended-range electric vehicles in China: A life cycle perspective.

Many researchers use life cycle assessment methodology to investigate the energy and environmental impacts of energy-saving and new energy vehicles. However, in the context of China, the life cycle energy-saving and emission-reduction effects of extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), and the optimal applicable vehicle size and driving conditions for EREVs have been rarely studied. In this study, based on the life cycle assessment theory, the resource consumption, energy exhaustion, and environmental impact of EREVs were comprehensively analyzed. In addition, a differential evaluation model of ecological benefits was established for comparing EREVs with other vehicles with different power sources. Finally, scenario analysis was performed in terms of different vehicle sizes and driving conditions. The results have shown that EREV has great advantages in reducing mineral resource consumption and fossil energy consumption. The consumption of mineral resources of EREV is 14.68% lower than that of HEV, and the consumption of fossil energy is 34.72% lower than that of ICEV. In terms of environmental impact, EREV lies in the middle position. The scenario analysis has revealed that, for EREV in China, the optimal vehicle size is the passenger car and the optimal driving condition is the suburban condition. This work helps to understand the environmental performance of EREVs in China and may provide a decision-making reference for the government.

Interregional supply chains of Chinese mineral resource requirements

Reliable mineral resource supply is necessary for socio-economic development. As the world’s leading consumer of mineral resources, China’s economic development largely relies on the exploration, exploitation and utilization of mineral resources. This paper explores the interregional supply chains of Chinese mineral resource requirements in 2012 via the multi-regional input–output and structural path analyses. Exergy as a common metric is used for the integrated assessment of mineral resource inputs. Results show that investment is the most crucial final demand category for most provinces’ embodied mineral uses. The Construction sector is the biggest user of embodied mineral resources in all 31 provincial regions. Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi providing most mineral resources for other regions have high proportions of interregional mineral resource exports. Developed regions as net importers of embodied resources always have large resource requirements, and Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Shandong and Shanghai are important mineral resource consumers. We further identify critical supply chain paths based on the overall mineral resource linkages through interregional trade. Coal mining→Investment is a typical path for the investment-induced intra-provincial transfer, while Coal mining→Nonmetal products→Construction→Investment is an important path for investment-induced interregional transfer. Coal mining→Electricity power, stream, and hot water production and supply→Consumption is an important path for consumption in intra-provincial and interregional transfers. The regional integrated mineral resource footprint and its critical paths will help policymakers to understand real mineral resource consumption patterns and related supply chain nexus, and to develop targeted resource policies from the consumption-based perspective.

BIM-based life-cycle environmental assessment of prefabricated buildings

PurposeThis research aims to propose a comparative environmental analysis of conventional and prefabricated construction techniques utilizing a building information modelling (BIM) technique.Design/methodology/approachA set of indicators are selected to assess the environmental emissions throughout the construction life cycle, based on BIM platform. An existing project involving ten apartment buildings in Shanghai is selected as a case study.FindingsThe results reveal that prefabricated construction demonstrates environment-friendly performance with some exceptions of acidification and mineral resource consumption. Environmental impacts can also be further reduced by increasing the projected area ratio and percentage of project prefabrication.Originality/valueOverall, the proposed method can be used to identify relevant environmental merits and for decision-making of appropriate construction techniques in building construction projects.

Dynamic Linkages among Mining Production and Land Rehabilitation Efficiency in China

In the context of China’s economic transformation, the consumption of mineral resources plays an important role in its economy’s sustainable development, and so improving mining efficiency is regarded as the basis of industrial development. However, in the pursuit of mine exploitation, the destruction of land resources has attracted greater attention by government and society, with many scholars focusing more on land rehabilitation in recent years. Thus, from the perspective of climate change, this research synthetically analyzes the two stages of mining production and land rehabilitation, by applying mining employees, fixed assets’ investment stock, production of non-petroleum mineral resources, accumulated destruction of land area, rehabilitation investment, rehabilitation of land area, and average temperature to the dynamic two-stage directional-distance-function data envelopment analysis (DEA) model under exogenous variables for 29 provinces in China. The results show that the overall efficiency of mining-production-land rehabilitation in most provinces fluctuates around 0.5 and spans a large range of improvement. The efficiency of the mining production stage fluctuates around 0.55 and is relatively flat over four years. The efficiency of the land rehabilitation stage fluctuates during the four years, with it being higher in 2014, but lower in 2015. Generally speaking, the efficiency of the land rehabilitation stage is higher, promoting the improvement of overall efficiency, but the efficiencies of some provinces’ land rehabilitation stage are quite different, as some provinces still need to improve their overall efficiency level. There are also differences in the efficiencies of each decision-making units (DMU)’s variables. In sum, China should initiate corresponding policies according to specific situations, promote scientific mining in each province, and coordinate the development of mining production and land rehabilitation.

National innovative performance and sustainable development – the case of Slovakia

Abstract Innovation are considered as the engine of sustainability and economic growth. Innovations are an integral part of the business that is expressed in scientific and research activities. If a company want to gain competitive advantage, it must do the business activities in accordance with economic, environmental, social and institutional factors. Business activities in this area are reflected in macroeconomic indicators of the country. This article deals with innovations and sustainable development issues. The main goal of research is testing interaction between innovations and sustainable development through the selected indicators. Summary Innovation Index (SII) represents innovations and sustainable development is represented by the set of indicators from four areas: economic, environmental, social and institutional. The analysis is based on values of the Summary Innovation Index proposed by the European Commission to measure the competitiveness of European countries in terms of innovation activity and values of sustainable development indicators such as GDP per capita, energy intensity of the economy, migration, transport performance, greenhouse gas emissions, application of environmental management system, mining and consumption of mineral resources, etc. The research is carried out on the case of Slovakia with application of mathematical-statistical apparatus (correlation analysis). The main benefit of research lies in the identification of strengths and weaknesses of Slovakia in analysed areas and determining the expected development.

Environmental Assessment of the Life Cycle of Bovine Compound Feeds from a Feed Milling Plant in a Large Commercial Farm in Wielkopolska Region, Poland

In recent years, the importance of environmental threats associated with intensive livestock production has been emphasized. Compound feeds make up a part of the animal production chain. A complete assessment of the animal production system with regard to environmental criteria is therefore impossible without considering the environmental consequences of feed production. The goal of this research is to fill the gap in an environmental assessment of production processes of compound feeds in Poland. The study presents an assessment of production impacts of bovine compound feeds according to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology. The data for analysis were based on the set of information obtained from the feed milling plant located in a commercial agricultural enterprise in the Wielkopolska region in the years 2015-2016. An inventory table of inputs was prepared in relation to the functional unit of 1 ton of compound feeds and two phases of production processes, i.e. upstream and core. For average compound feed, the impact category indicators for the global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, photochemical ozone formation, consumption of mineral resources, fossil fuel resources and the emission of the respirable particles were respectively: 605.9 kg CO2 eq, 8.73 kg SO2 eq, 3.32 kg PO4 eq, 0.73 kg ethylene eq, 3.4x10-3 kg antimony eq, 5141.1 MJ and 2.25 kg PM2.5 eq. The upstream phase had the greatest effect on investigated impacts, while the core processes phase had a relatively low impact on environmental threats. It is recommended to broaden the scope of the research for a larger group of feed milling plants with more complex manufacturing processes, with a more branched supply structure and a wide range of compound feeds for different animal types. The obtained data can be a valuable source base in prospective analyses of the life cycle of various animal products in Poland.

The Significance of the Resource Intensity of the Regional Economy the Development of the Oil and Gas Chemical Complex

Directions for the development of the regional petrochemical complex are directly dependent on the resource availability of the region’s territory, the level of their development, the amount of explored reserves, the volumes of extraction and rationality of use. The development and justification of the priority areas for the development of the petrochemical complex of the region for individual industries, industries and enterprises, based on the assessment of the efficiency of the use of the territory’s resources, is an important element in determining the development vector of the social and economic system of the region as a whole. The petrochemical complex of the Republic of Tatarstan includes enterprises of various petrochemical industries that produce virtually the entire range of petrochemical products. On the territory of the republic, a program has been developed and implemented that ensures sustainable reproduction and development of the mineral and raw materials base of the region, involving newly discovered minerals in the economic circulation. They allow replacing imported mineral raw materials or competing in the world market for the sale and consumption of mineral resources, products of their processing. The Republic of Tatarstan also possesses significant water and energy resources necessary for intensification of extraction and processing of raw materials by enterprises of petrochemicals. As a result of the analysis of the functioning of the petrochemical complex of this region, it was revealed that, based on the explored reserves of mineral resources, the most promising branches of the petrochemical industry are the production of organic synthesis products, which is the basis for the export of the Republic of Tatarstan. The petrochemical complex of this region is successful due to the situation on world commodity markets. The demand for mineral fertilizers and the production of organic synthesis chemistry demonstrates sustainable growth rates. The high degree of depreciation of fixed assets (more than 50%) and the insufficient level of investment are impeding the efficient functioning and dynamically developing of the petrochemical complex of the Republic of Tatarstan. In addition, the petrochemical industry is highly dependent on tariffs for the services of natural monopolies (gas, electricity), which will inevitably increase, including very significantly (to the level of European ones) due to the prevailing international situation and the natural process of the evolution of the world economy. All this can adversely affect the competitiveness of Tatarstan’s petrochemical enterprises.

Study on Carbon Emission Calculation Method of Concrete

along with the rapid development of commercial concrete industry and the continuous growth of concrete demand, the commercial concrete production has brought large energy consumption and mineral resource consumption; cement calcination and direct/indirect energy consumption within the boundary of ready-mixed concrete system have become the main source of concrete greenhouse gas. This paper mainly settles key problems such as boundary definition, data collection, calculation model, data acceptance/rejection and data calculation method concerned with concrete carbon emission calculation, establishes the national uniform concrete carbon emission calculation method and emission factor within the same cultural boundary, and provides theoretical and data calculation basis for determining the reference value and grade of concrete carbon emission. As for other products, the carbon emission of unit product may also be calculated by reference to this paper; therefore, inherent carbon emission data of buildings are accumulated, providing quantized data support for taking measures to reduce the carbon emission intensity.

Global Trends in Metal Consumption and Supply: The Raw Material–Energy Nexus

The consumption of mineral resources and energy has increased exponentially over the last 100 years. Further growth is expected until at least the middle of the 21 st century as the demand for minerals is stimulated by the industrialization of poor countries, increasing urbanization, penetration of rapidly evolving high technologies, and the transition to low-carbon energies. In order to meet this demand, more metals will have to be produced by 2050 than over the last 100 years, which raises questions about the sustainability and conditions of supply. The answers to these questions are not only a matter of available reserves. Major effort will be required to develop new approaches and dynamic models to address social, economic, environmental, geological, technological, legal and geopolitical impacts of the need for resources.

Application Research on Quantitative Prediction of Mineral Resources Based on the Grey Relational Analysis Algorithm with Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Information

With the rapid economic development, China is facing a comparatively short supply of mineral resources after the relatively long-term developmental stage that is based on the consumption of mineral resources. Contradictions among the population, resources, the environment and developments have arisen. Therefore, under the constraint conditions of limited and non-renewable mineral resources, the mineral resources industry in China must adhere to sustainable development. The aim of this paper is to investigate the multiple attribute decision making problems for quantitative prediction of mineral resources with dual hesitant fuzzy information and incomplete weight information. Then, based on the traditional GRA method, calculation steps for solving dual hesitant fuzzy multiple attribute decision-making problems with incomplete weight information are proposed. Finally, an algorithm of quantitative prediction of mineral resources based on the grey relational analysis with dual hesitant fuzzy information is proposed.

Urban Mining's Potential to Relieve China's Coming Resource Crisis

SummaryChina's mineral resource consumption has gone through multiple increases since 1980, resulting in the inadequacy of important strategic resources and a high level of external dependence. Some developed countries have already reduced primary resources consumption through urban mining. Can China also break through the bottleneck of the resource shortage and continue its economic and social development through strengthening of urban mining? This article selected copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and iron (Fe) as case studies and established predictive models for metal demand, recycling, and stock, based on stock analysis, material flow analysis, and a life distribution model, and then analyzed the metabolism of the four resources and compared the environmental effects of three scenarios. The study indicates that the urban mining potential of Cu, Fe, Al, and Pb will attain 8.1, 711.6, 37.0, and 12.1 million tonnes, respectively, in 2040. Compared with 2010, the substitution rate (secondary metals substituting primary metals) of Cu and Fe increase by 25.4% and 59.9%, whereas external dependence decreases by 30.8% and 25.7%. However, substitution is not obvious regarding Al and Pb. The low resource scenario decreases resources use, which will reduce external dependence in the short term, whereas the strengthened recovery scenario increases resource recovery and has a larger effect in reducing external dependence in the long term. So, in line with urban mining in the future, China should change its environment and resource strategy, further strengthen layout and construction of urban mining demonstration bases, and encourage the use of recyclable resources to provide a better foundation for urban mining.

Rational Research of Deep Concave Open-Pit Slope Angle of Lower Part

With the rapid advance of industrialization,the consumption of mineral resources is increasing.For open pit mine,many of them went into deep mining.The current,widespread adoption of open pit slope angle makes deep concave mining has a huge stripping ratio.So many mines in trouble,on the premise of guarantee the deep sunken open pit slope stability increase slope toe can bring huge economic benefits,and a lot of research work has been done.This paper describes the factors affecting the stability of open-pit mine slope,the slope rock mass stress analysis,to calculate the lower steep slope economic benefits,puts forward reasonable suggestions the future research direction of the slope stability of open-pit mine.

Analytical Model Determining the Optimal Block Size in the Block Caving Mining Method

Nowadays along with population growth, industry development, consumption of mineral resources and the fact that the reserves on hand are running out, the depth of surface and underground mines for further exploitation are increasing. During recent years, in underground mining, the block caving method for low-grade and large-scale deposits has shown a growing rate of application. The dimensions of blocks are one of the most important parameters which should be taken into account since it has been proved to have a great deal of effect on technical issues such as commencement of caving and mine design. In this study, some assumptions were considered and having used these assumptions for estimation of optimized length and width of block, a relationship was explored. And finally, it was transformed into an inequality. Solving this inequality provides us with the optimized length and width of the block. The explored relationship was analysed using MATLAB and the resulting graphs thereof were drawn. Simulation was carried out using the Phase2 software and the results were compared with the different modes of the block. In the blocks that were 55, 60 and 65 m in length, the total displacement (the total displacement as a result of applying force in order to cave), yielded elements (percent) and Yielded Joints reached a satisfactory condition which enables perfect caving to occur. In addition, in the 70 m block, these values reached their maximum. It was concluded in this paper that the optimal block size is between 55 and 65 m.

Life cycle environmental impact assessment of borax and boric acid production in China

Borax and boric acid are important primary products in China's boron industry. Their characteristic production technology has been adapted to the low ore grade. To analyze the environmental impacts of different borax and boric acid production processes and to promote cleaner production of boron industry, the life cycle assessment method of cradle-to-gate was applied in this study. GaBi4.4 software was used in the assessment and the environmental impacts were classified according to the CML2001 method. To show the degree of consumption of mineral resources and energy respectively, the abiotic depletion potential was divided into the mineral resources depletion potential and fossil energy depletion potential. A comparison between the mineral processing and entire system studied shows that energy consumption is important in life cycle environmental impacts. Boron production industries should refrain from using coal as their main heat source and try to use clean energy. A comparison between the borax production processes shows that the boron-rich slag is the cleanest material and that blast furnace gas can be used to reduce environmental impacts further in slow cooling link. A comparison between the boric acid production processes shows that flotation (I) is the cleanest process with the material of szaibelyite. Ludwigite should be processed after dressing to reduce the environmental impacts. Boron concentrate can be used to produce borax or boric acid as an alternative to szaibelyite but feasible production processes are still the focus of future research.

Sustainable production and consumption of mineral resources—introduction

The European mining industry has a long tradition providing many regions with growth and employment. However, now in the European Union, consumption of many minerals and especially metals considerably exceeds the EU mining industry’s internal supply capability. In the last years, it was pointed out in many EU documents that securing reliable and undistorted access to raw materials is becoming an increasingly important factor in the EU’s competitiveness and hence crucial to the success of the Lisbon Partnership for growth and jobs. Therefore, the European mining industry is faced with a major challenge which is creating appropriate ecological, economic and social conditions, referring to the idea of “growth through opportunity”. In the paper, challenges connected with sustainable production and consumption of mineral resources in the EU has been presented.

A new method for assessing the sustainability of land-use systems (II): Evaluating impact indicators

In the past decade, numerous indicators and indicator sets for sustainable agriculture and sustainable land management have been proposed. In addition to their interest in comparing different management systems on an indicator by indicator basis, land managers are often interested in comparing individual indicators against a threshold, or, in order to study trade-offs, against each other. To this end it is necessary to (1) transform the original indicators into a comparable format, and (2) score these transformed indicators against a sustainability function. This paper introduces an evaluation method for land-use-related impact indicators, which was designed to accomplish these tasks. It is the second of a series of two papers, and as such it links into a larger framework for sustainability assessment of land use systems. The evaluation scheme introduced here comprises (1) a standardisation procedure, which aims at making different indicators comparable. In this procedure indicators are first normalised, by referencing them to the total impact they contribute towards, and then they are corrected by a factor describing the severity of this total impact in terms of exceeding a threshold. The procedure borrows conceptually from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Impact Analysis methodology; (2) a valuation procedure, which judges the individual standardised indicators with regard to sustainability. This methodology is then tested on an indicator set for the environmental impact of a spinach production system in Northwest Germany. The method highlights mineral resource consumption, greenhouse gas emission, eutrophication and impacts on soil quality as the most important environmental effects of the studied system. We then explore the effect of introducing weighting factors, reflecting the differing societal perception of diverse environmental issues. Two different sets of weighting factors are used. The influence of weighting is, however, small compared to that of the standardisation procedure introduced earlier. Finally, we explore the propagation of uncertainty (defined as a variable's 95% confidence limits) throughout the standardisation procedure using a stochastic simulation approach. The uncertainty of the analysed standardised indicator was higher than that of the non-standardised indicators by a factor of 2.0 to 2.5.

Exergetic life cycle assessment of hydrogen production from renewables

Life cycle assessment is extended to exergetic life cycle assessment and used to evaluate the exergy efficiency, economic effectiveness and environmental impact of producing hydrogen using wind and solar energy in place of fossil fuels. The product hydrogen is considered a fuel for fuel cell vehicles and a substitute for gasoline. Fossil fuel technologies for producing hydrogen from natural gas and gasoline from crude oil are contrasted with options using renewable energy. Exergy efficiencies and greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions are evaluated for all process steps, including crude oil and natural gas pipeline transportation, crude oil distillation and natural gas reforming, wind and solar electricity generation, hydrogen production through water electrolysis, and gasoline and hydrogen distribution and utilization. The use of wind power to produce hydrogen via electrolysis, and its application in a fuel cell vehicle, exhibits the lowest fossil and mineral resource consumption rate. However, the economic attractiveness, as measured by a “capital investment effectiveness factor,” of renewable technologies depends significantly on the ratio of costs for hydrogen and natural gas. At the present cost ratio of about 2 (per unit of lower heating value or exergy), capital investments are about five times lower to produce hydrogen via natural gas rather than wind energy. As a consequence, the cost of wind- and solar-based electricity and hydrogen is substantially higher than that of natural gas. The implementation of a hydrogen fuel cell instead of an internal combustion engine permits, theoretically, an increase in a vehicle's engine efficiency of about of two times. Depending on the ratio in engine efficiencies, the substitution of gasoline with “renewable” hydrogen leads to (a) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions of 12–23 times for hydrogen from wind and 5–8 times for hydrogen from solar energy, and (b) air pollution (AP) emissions reductions of 38–76 times for hydrogen from wind and 16–32 times for hydrogen from solar energy. By comparison, substitution of gasoline with hydrogen from natural gas allows reductions in GHG emissions only as a result of the increased efficiency of a fuel cell engine, and a reduction of AP emissions of 2.5–5 times. These data suggest that “renewable” hydrogen represents a potential long-term solution to many environmental problems.