Mining Life Cycle Research Articles

A case based, combined LCA and S-ROI methodology for sustainable mining in the Suceava County, Romania

LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) is a useful tool in decision-making for most businesses that opt for sustainability and offers the possibility to compare different products, processes, and value chain scenarios, both real and hypothetical. Coupled with S-ROI (Sustainable Return on Investment), the LCA has a great potential in using available data for existing mining sites in the North-East Region of Romania to assess the economic, social and environmental benefits of certain sustainability measures on a local and regional level. The article will explore this approach of combining the two methodologies: LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and S-ROI (Sustainable Return on Investment), with necessary adjustments according to the characteristics of the local mining activities, to show key investment areas that can improve the value chain of copper exploitation and preparation in the mining perimeter Mănăila. The case of the copper mine in Mănăila offers a great opportunity to apply the current LICYMIN (Life Cycle of Mining) research and to use available Ecoinvent data for the copper ore by comparing the current value chain scenario with a proposed scenario that includes a different location for a mining ore preparation unit, closer to the quarry. The results will give an insight into the potential social and economic impact (the measure can translate into a higher local employment rate, better social stability, lower transportation costs, etc.) as well as the environmental impact (reduction of GHG emission, pollution, and energy efficiency) of the suggested changes.

Barriers to environmental sustainability practices of multinational mining companies in Ghana: an institutional complexity perspective

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the barriers to the environmental sustainability practices of large-scale mining companies throughout a mine lifecycle, analysed in the context of the plural and competing logics and tensions in the broader institutional environment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used a qualitative methodology based on multiple cases involving multinational mining companies, regulators and other major stakeholder groups, as it offers an opportunity for analytical generalisations where the empirical results are compared to previously established theories.FindingsThe empirical results indicate that the environmental sustainability barriers are embedded within gaps in Ghana’s natural resources governance framework. The gaps arise out of contradictory interests and values, which hinder the direction and practices of large-scale mining companies.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings may only apply to the context of this study and is inadequate as the basis for assessing the effectiveness or otherwise of specific initiatives of large-scale mining firms in Ghana.Practical implicationsThis study have implications on how large-scale mining companies and their stakeholders define their values and goals, and engage in a dynamic process to accommodate the multiple and competing logics by implementing effective structures at the organisational and institutional levels.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the sustainability and institutional complexity perspective by showing that plural logics are often contradictory, but may also be complementary in situations of complicit commonality, hindering sustainable outcomes. The authors argue that this is one of the few studies that have examined the barriers to environmental sustainability explicated in the context of institutional complexity.

Comparison of interpretation uncertainty in spatial domains using portable x-ray fluorescence and ICP data

Spatial domains defining either geological models or mineral estimation envelopes are among the few components of the mining life cycle that are not quantitatively assessed to communicate uncertainty or error in mineral resource projects. Recent work has investigated the use of Bayesian approximation methods to assess interpretation uncertainty of the classification of drill hole intercepts to spatial domain categories. A fundamental assumption is that the spatial domains being tested are used for geostatistics and that the spatial domains contain data that is homogenous to satisfy an assumption of stationarity. A binomial or multinomial model of data used to generate the spatial domains can be trained and simulated to assess the model's ability to predict categories. Categorical subjective geological logging and multielement data have shown suitable data inputs to assess interpretation uncertainty at two case studies. In early-stage projects laboratory multielement data may not be available or economically feasible. Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) is a cost and time-effective method of providing multielement data at lower precision and accuracy. A case study had both Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP) and pXRF data. Bayesian approximation models were created from both data sets to assess interpretation uncertainty. Visual assessment of uncertainty band graphs and statistical testing using the Bayesian correlated t-test shows that the two data sets' interpretation uncertainty models are practically equivalent and that pXRF data can be used in early stage projects to assess interpretation uncertainty.

Using Affinity Analysis-Driven Adaptive Data Mining Life Cycle for the Development of a Student Retention DSS

Technological development has engaged educational institutions in fierce global competition. To be competitive in meeting the changing needs of today’s student population, educational institutions find it imperative to prioritize student retention efforts and to develop strategies that interact and serve students more effectively in providing them more value and service. In this research we proposed a three-phase-six-stage adaptive data mining development life cycle, and we applied the affinity analysis to this methodology in identifying more than 400 association relationships with student retention, refining iteratively the association rule set down to less than 30 rules, and developing useful strategic implications regarding how the important factors were associated with a student’s decision. This set of implications and factors could then be integrated into the development of strategies for student retention

Determinants of place attachment among mineworkers: Evidence from South Africa

The authors argue that, given (i) the unpredictability of the mining lifecycle and (ii) global pressure to transition out of coal, researchers must take a more critical perspective on place attachment and its consequences. Research generally depicts place attachment in a positive light. The conventional understanding is that place attachment brings stability, creates assets and helps society to take on and complete long-term projects. We use evidence from case studies to question the appropriateness of this conventional wisdom and whether it should be applied blindly in the mining industry. A policy of encouraging place attachment will be counterproductive if living standards and access to quality service provision cannot be maintained. Unchecked, place attachments can create financial lock-ins that lead to long-term economic damage. The likelihood of eventual mine closure means that policies that aim to induce place attachment to encourage stability, long-range planning and asset development may not be appropriate for all mining communities. While we agree that some measure of place attachment should be encouraged through social policy throughout the mine's lifecycle, we do not agree that place attachment should be constructed as an outcome in its own right.

Mining as a temporary land use: A global stocktake of post-mining transitions and repurposing

Post-mining land use and associated economies have become a priority issue in mine lifecycle planning amongst many major companies. Ensuring the post-mining landscape is returned to a safe and stable condition is usually the first order priority in mine closure, though achieving this is often a challenge. The drive for industry to do more than rehabilitation is also growing. One of the many drivers for this expectation is the scale of mines, with many mining leases occupying thousands of hectares. Some of this land may be used for other purposes with relatively little intervention. For the mine footprint itself, it is often not possible or feasible to return the landscape to the prior condition, although creative repurposing of mine features and elements of mine infrastructure may be an option. At the same time, these large-scale mines employ hundreds, sometimes thousands of people and consideration of economic transitions for mining workforces, notably local dependant populations, is increasingly expected of industry post closure, as employment is often positioned at the “heart” of development. In this article, we reframe mining as a temporary land use. This approach positions post-mining land use as intrinsic to the mine lifecycle, including the planning and operational phases. We developed a global database of repurposing cases building on the S&P Global Market Intelligence database, relevant literature and other publicly available information. We provide an overview of the findings and the themes to emerge from this global repurposing database of 141 cases. Our findings include: our general observations on the research process; an analysis of the most common repurposing land uses; factors influencing repurposing, including factors internal and external to the company; initial observations about industry approaches to repurposing. Finally, we argue that reconceptualising mine ‘closure’ and the associated mining legacies is an essential operational shift the extractives industry, notably the major companies, will need to make to keep pace with societal and local community expectation.

Setting rehabilitation priorities for abandoned mines of similar characteristics according to their visual impact: The case of Milos Island, Greece

Mine rehabilitation is nowadays an essential part of the mine life-cycle. Nevertheless, due to the inadequate legislative framework and the lack of appropriate financial instruments in the past, abandoned mined land is present in almost all regions with a mining history. Especially in times of fiscal and financial belt tightening, where direct funding is almost impossible, the restoration of abandoned mines becomes a difficult task and, consequently, prioritization of the restoration projects is necessitated. So far, several models have been developed for that purpose. The existing models, however, usually underestimate that, especially for non-reclaimed mines located close to populated areas, landscape degradation generated by surface mining is a critical factor. To this end, this paper presents, through an illustrative example, a new approach providing the means for prioritizing mine restoration projects based on the visibility of surface mines with regard to the neighboring areas of interest. The proposed approach can be utilized as an additional module in existing prioritization models, or it can be used standalone when considering a group of surface mines where what distinguishes them from each other is primarily the disturbance of the landscape.

Women and mine closure: A case study of policy in South Africa

The social aspects of mine closure remain a challenge to the mining industry. Its tendency to deal with problems towards the end of a mine's life cycle, rather than planning for them from the start, is partly responsible for the gendered impact of mine closure. Using documentary evidence, the literature on how mining affects women, and the history of discrimination against black women in South Africa, we examine South African policy on women in mining and how mine closure affects them. The paper contributes towards a more nuanced understanding of the social aspects of mine closure. We recommend a more comprehensive policy focus on the local and regional social consequences of mine closure for women.

Global Scan of Disruptions to the Mine Life Cycle: Price, Ownership, and Local Impact.

Criticality and supply risk models seek to address concerns of potential disruption to global metal supply. These models need to incorporate disruption events that arise from within the mining industry's market structure. In this paper, we review what we refer to as events of "mine life cycle disruption". These include project abandonments, premature closures, care and maintenance, and ownership changes. Life cycle disruptions not only cause production disruptions but also embed social and environmental risks in global metal markets. They arise from the highly variable business environment in which the resources sector operates. Changing commodity prices directly influence mining revenues and drive decisions on whether to halt or push forward a project. While some disruptions are involuntary and induced by external economic conditions, others are purposefully triggered by certain mining companies that use them to their advantage. We examine the frequency of these disruptions based on a contemporary global inventory of 35,000 mining projects and present the findings against recent developments in the research literature. We conclude that life cycle disruption events are an important consideration in balancing the demand for metals and the social and environmental impacts of mining and propose pathways for managing these events and their effects.

Active Treatment of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Cold Mine Water Using Advanced Oxidation and Membrane-Related Processes: A Review

Responsible use and effective treatment of mine water are prerequisites of sustainable mining. The behavior of contaminants in mine water evolves in relation to the metastable characteristics of some species, changes related to the mine life cycle, and mixing processes at various scales. In cold climates, water treatment requires adaptation to site-specific conditions, including high flow rates, salinity, low temperatures, remoteness, and sensitivity of receiving waterbodies. Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) represent a newer issue in mine water treatment. This paper reviews recent research on the challenges and opportunities related to CECs in mine water treatment, with a focus on advanced oxidation and membrane-based processes on mine sites operating in cold climates. Finally, the paper identifies research needs in mine water treatment.

3D Numerical Simulation of Landslides for the Full High Waste Dump Using SPH Method

Waste dump that is generally composed of a large number of loose geotechnical materials is prone to landslides under external loads. In this work, the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method combined with the Mohr–Coulomb model is used to study the dynamic characteristics of the landslides that occurred in the waste dump during the failure process. A benchmark test is firstly conducted to verify the effectiveness of the SPH model. Then, taking the Nanfen full high waste dump with a vertical drop of 300 m in Benxi City, China, as an example, the most dangerous section is selected to establish the SPH numerical model for the waste dump landslides, and the overall dynamic process of the landslides is simulated. The simulation results show that the particles in the middle and upper of the slope have larger potential energy, and their sliding distance is larger. On the contrary, the sliding distance of particles in the lower of the slope is smaller. The particles' sliding distance decreases as the depth increases in the vertical direction of both shoulder and middle of the slope. The particles undergo a process of first acceleration and then deceleration. The sliding distance is in good agreement with the field survey result, and the landslides profile is basically consistent with the actual one. The sensitivity analysis of different particle numbers shows that the number of particles has little effect on the numerical results. The SPH method can vividly reproduce the dynamic process of the landslides in the full high waste dump. The evaluation of the sliding characteristics and risk impact range can provide the key parameters and basis for the prevention and control of the landslides in the full high waste dump and ensure the safety of the mine life cycle.

Are the environmental impacts, resource flows and economic benefits proportional? Analysis of key global trade routes based on the steel life cycle

The coordinated relationship between the environment, resources and economy is necessary for global sustainable development. As the basis of many countries’ economies, the steel industry has received much attention. Considering the three typical stages in the steel life cycle of ore mining, crude steel production and scrap recycling, this study aims to identify the current unbalanced relationship between environmental impacts, resource flows and economic benefits. To that end, life cycle assessment (LCA) is conducted to analyze 18 trade routes involving 8 major steel trading countries, a sustainability evaluation model is constructed containing three indicators at different levels, and the coupling coordinated degree in the steel trade routes under four scenarios is simulated and discussed. The results show that, first, the category of ecotoxicity has the greatest impact on the environment during the whole steel life cycle. Second, inequalities in trade routes are common. The Australia-Russia-US, Australia-Russia-UK, and Brazil-China-Japan routes have obvious disadvantages in terms of the resource-environment, economy-resource, and environment-economy relationships, respectively, for reasons related to yield and production technology. Third, the Australia-Russia-US route has the highest coupling coordinated degree, while the Brazil-Russia-Japan route has the lowest, thereby representing the most significant imbalanced relationship. When the development of the environment-resource relationship is improved, the imbalance of most trade routes improves significantly. When development of the economy-environment relationship increases, the improvement in coordination is mainly related to the trade routes associated with Brazil and China. With the development of the economy-resource relationship, trade routes, including those involving Russia and UK, improve significantly. Based on the above findings, this paper proposes some policy recommendations to address the imbalances of trade routes in terms of environmental impact, evaluation indicators at various levels, and coupling coordination. These suggestions can help countries and related enterprises promote the circular economy and promote the sustainable development of the steel industry chain.

Public disclosure of mine closures by listed South African mining companies

AbstractThe demand for transparency in the mining sector has increased since the 1980s. Our study focused on the public reporting of four South African mining corporations and their disclosures on mine closure. South Africa was identified based on its history of mine abandonment. We found that reporting on mainstream environmental and financial matters, companies disclose little about the social aspects of mine closure. External reporting norms have evolved, with a widening scope of reporting themes presented in strategically parsimonious language. Reporting themes speak to where companies, and transparency initiatives, receive greatest external interest and much of the content in company sustainability reports appear to service this demand. This pattern is manifestly challenging for the social aspects of mine closure, where reporting is minimal and reveals little about the timing of proposed changes to the mine lifecycle, the anticipated societal effects, and how the company will address these.

Building a mineral-based value chain in Europe: the balance between social acceptance and secure supply

During the last years, the industry directly involved in the production and transformation of mineral raw materials in the EU has been responsible for ca. 40% of the value added associated with downstream manufacturing sectors, engaging more than 3 million of job positions. However, the EU is a net importer of ores along with a large diversity of metals and other mineral-derived products, including many of those involved in high-technology applications. This dependency makes the EU economy quite vulnerable to supply disruptions or other market fluctuations impacting the global supply chain for mineral raw materials. Ultimately, persistent shortages in supply represent serious bottlenecks to various economic activities running in the EU, jeopardising a significant number of jobs and many lines of the political agenda for the intended model of sustainable development. To overcome this potential weakness, a European mineral-based value chain emerges as a logical solution, particularly if designed along with a coherent scenario of re-industrialisation, research and development, technological innovation, continuous training of a high-qualified workforce, and internal investments prioritisation. In this context, the existing interlinks between activities related to the mining life cycle and the product life cycle in the EU must be revisited and transformed. The main drivers for these changes are (i) technological advances related to accelerated transitions towards digitisation, automation, and a low-carbon economy; (ii) societal, requiring higher fairness and increasing levels of transparency and proficiency from both the authorities and industry players; and (iii) relieving the reliance on imports of critical mineral raw materials.

Impact mitigation or ecological restoration? Examining the environmental sustainability practices of multinational mining companies

AbstractThis paper examines the environmental sustainability practices of multinational mining companies in addressing their impacts and promoting the sustainable development of local communities in Ghana. Although large‐scale mining companies have embraced environmental sustainability, the drivers and the mechanisms for addressing their impacts throughout the mine life cycle is not fully understood because of the limited research in this area. The focus in this study involves an examination of the drivers for environmental sustainability in a weak and non‐enabling institutional context and the mechanisms for addressing impacts on biodiversity, water quality and quantity, and ambient climate. The findings show that the environmental sustainability practices of multinational mining companies are determined by regulatory compliance and corporate environmental responsibility based on perceived ethical obligation. Additionally, we find gaps in mine closure planning and rehabilitation because of the limited requirement for biodiversity restoration in the domains of flora repopulation and active fauna reintroduction. This paper provides empirical and theoretical insights for academics and practitioners in industry and policymaking.

Carbon emission assessment and control measures for coal mining in China

Coal is the most important primary energy in China. Although the proportion of coal in China's total energy consumption continues to decline it will still be the main energy in China for a long time in the future. As the largest contributor to China's greenhouse gas emissions, the energy conservation and emission reduction of coal industry will be the most critical step for China to cope with global climate change and solve environmental problems at present and in the future for a long time. The object of this study was coal mining in China. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to quantify carbon emissions in whole process of coal mining, including mining, ventilation, drainage, power consumption, transportation, and post-mining activities. The analysis result shows that the carbon emissions of producing tons of coal are 164.403 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per ton. The analysis further emphasizes that the methane contributes the most, accounting for 62.21% of the total emissions, and plays an important role in the full life cycle of coal mining. Therefore, it presents a potential to mitigate the environmental impact of coal mining, and its main task is to recover and recycle methane. Based on the technical level, this study puts forward the low-carbon development countermeasures for coal enterprises. Then the technical system of methane emission control and utilization is constructed from three aspects: coal-bed methane development, gas extraction, and utilization and gas utilization. Finally, a trinity resource utilization system of coal mine gas is constructed. This study hopes to help practitioners to realize the importance of coal mine methane to the coal mining process. If the efficient resource utilization of methane be realized, it could not only save energy and reduce emissions in coal enterprises, but also promote the safety production of coal mines and improve the economic benefits of coal mines. It is also of great significance for optimizing China's energy structure, realizing low-carbon transformation, and safeguarding China's strategic energy security.

Planning for social and community-engaged closure: A comparison of mine closure plans from Canada's territorial and provincial North

The inevitable closure and remediation phase of a mine's lifecycle routinely causes negative socio-economic and environmental impacts for nearby communities. While closure planning is meant to ensure post-closure human and environmental safety, it tends to favour short-term technical fixes over longer-term socio-economic, cultural, and ecological considerations. For mines operating on Indigenous territories, where communities have complex and nuanced connections to land and varying levels of jurisdiction, these issues are further exacerbated by the exclusion of Indigenous voices from planning and decision-making. This research employed a qualitative document analysis of ten mine closure plans for mines in Northern Canada that are still operational to understand how the industry is actively planning for the closure and remediation of their sites. In particular, this work asks whether or not mine companies are incorporating Indigenous Knowledge into their mine closure plans, and how they are addressing the complex socio-economic aspects of closure. This analysis showed that mine closure plans across Northern Canada inconsistently apply Indigenous Knowledge and expertise, and the methods used for community consultation in mine closure planning are left vague. While differences in policy between Northern territories and regions account for some of these inconsistencies, a company's willingness to work beyond baseline requirements imposed by governments is also an important factor. Additionally, these closure plans further demonstrate that the industry prioritizes technical aspects of mine closure over the social, cultural, economic, and ecological. For mine closure to be successful in a Northern context it must incorporate community expertise, emerge from the values and priorities of the Indigenous peoples whose lands mines are operating on, and account for a wider scope of social, economic, and cultural impacts.

A Study on Environmental Costs in Coal Mining Production in Vietnam

This study is conducted to identify and present environmental costs of mining production in the context of sustainable development (SD) and a lifecycle of coal mining firms. This aim is accompanied by two research questions as (i) What are the environmental costs of mining production in theory and practice in a lifecycle of coal mining firms?; and (ii) What are the key determinants of environmental costs of coal mining production in a lifecycle of coal mining firms? In order to achieve this aim, the process of coal mining production is described from the long-term perspective including projecting, building, operating and liquidation stage of a coal mine. On the basis of process analysis the identification of environmental costs is conducted in a model approach. Environmental costs of mining production are analyzed using international case studies and theoretical and practical assumptions regarding environmental costs management in mining production are formulated. The results show that the environmental costs of mining production are varied in the lifecycle of a coal mine and that they also depend on the geographical location of mining firms. Environmental costs of mining production have to be predicted in a long-term perspective including also post-liquidation costs together with taking into account the sources of their covering and models of financing. Keywords: Coal mining production, mine, lifecycle of a mine, environmental costs. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-18-09 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Assessment of the External Costs of Life Cycle of Coal: The Case Study of Southwestern China

Coal will continue to be the main energy source in China for the immediate future, although the environmental pollution and ecological impacts of each stage in the full life cycle of coal mining, transportation, and combustion generate large quantities of external costs. The Late Permian coals in southwestern (SW) China usually contain high amounts of fluorine (F), arsenic (As), and ash, which together with high-F clays cause abnormally high levels of endemic fluorosis, As poisoning, and lung cancer in areas where coal is mined and burned. In this paper, we estimate the external costs of the life cycle of coal. The results show that the externalities of coal in SW China are estimated at USD 73.5 billion or 284.3 USD/t, which would have accounted for 6.5 % of the provincial GDP in this area in 2018. The external cost of human health accounts for 87.2% of the total external costs, of which endemic skeletal fluorosis diseases and related lung cancers have the most important impact. Our study provides a more precise estimate of externalities compared with its counterparts in other provinces in China. Therefore, several policy recommendations would be proposed to internalize the external cost.

Groundwater environmental risk assessment of abandoned coal mine in each phase of the mine life cycle: a case study of Hongshan coal mine, North China.

Human activities during each phase of coal mine life cycle greatly affect groundwater environment. The groundwater environment destruction is not just only the destruction of underground structure but also the social problems caused by available groundwater resources reduction, as well as the environmental problems affecting ecosystem and human health. Moreover, the groundwater environmental risk of coal mining is complex, dynamic, and long-term. Therefore, a framework and quantitative method for groundwater environmental risk analysis at different phases of the mine life cycle was presented, which is composed of the groundwater system destruction risk (GSDR) and social-economic-ecological vulnerability (SEEV) assessment. The framework was applied in Hongshan abandoned coal mine, North China. Based on the aquifer structure destruction, groundwater flow field evolution, contamination, and social-economic influence analysis, 12 main controlling factors for the GSDR and 7 factors for the SEEV were determined and quantified separately. The results showed that the groundwater contamination of the Hongshan mine mainly occurred after closure, caused by the cross-strata pollution of mine water, which significantly reduced the groundwater available resources, which greatly affected local social-economy sustainable development and residents' health. The Hongshan mine closure increased groundwater environmental risk, with the GSDR high-risk zone being 12.51km2 larger than that during the mining phase and the SEEV was calculated at a high level. This framework promotes systematic integration of the groundwater environmental risk assessment in mine life cycle.