Switch on-switch off small-scale mining: Environmental performance in a life cycle perspective

Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 312, pp. 127647

Abstract

A switch on-switch off (SOSO) approach to mining relies on an integrated modular and mobile plant. It is appropriate for rapid start-up and cessation of production from ore deposits that have economic viability dependent on fluctuating commodity prices. This study aims at assessing the environmental performance of the SOSO approach in a life cycle perspective, using evidence collected during its pilot-scale implementation on a high-grade lead deposit located in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The deployed modules include: i) a selective mining tool, ii) a comminution module with crusher and screen, and iii) a gravity separation module with screen, spirals and a shaking table. The Life Cycle Inventory is based on a comprehensive and transparent set of data, drawn from the on-site pilot tests, completed with additional calculations (including process simulation with USIM-PAC®), scenarios (regarding energy), and some generic data and assumptions. The potential environmental impacts are calculated considering 13 impact categories of the EF 2.0 impact assessment method. The production of one tonne of Pb concentrate, with a Pb-content of 58.7%, induces in particular the potential generation of 897 kg CO2-eq. Moreover, the contribution analysis enables identification of the environmental hotspots, including the consumption of electricity supplied by on-site diesel generators that contributes to more than 90% of the total impacts in seven impact categories. Finally, this article discusses i) how advantageous the SOSO approach is compared to large-scale lead mining regarding some of its associated key environmental hotspots, ii) the potential for reduction of the impacts associated with electricity consumption, in particular through the implementation of a renewable electricity supply mix (solar photovoltaics and biomass-based), iii) the contributions of equipment and tailings to the total impacts, and iv) the contribution of the SOSO approach to resource accessibility and depletion. The inclusion of data outputs of mineral processing simulation in LCA appears a promising development towards optimization of the SOSO modular process chain, based on life-cycle environmental criteria and accounting for the site-dependent variability of ores and processes.

Authors 12

1. Antoine Beylot corresponding

   Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières

   Affiliation as printed

   Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières BRGM, 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009, 45060, Orléans Cedex 2, France

2. Stephanie Marek Muller

   Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières

   Affiliation as printed

   Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières BRGM, 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009, 45060, Orléans Cedex 2, France

3. Juliana Segura-Salazar

   Imperial College London

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom

4. Pablo R. Brito‐Parada

   Imperial College London

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom

5. Anshul Paneri

   University of Exeter

   Affiliation as printed

   Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom

6. Xiaoyu Yan

   University of Exeter

   Affiliation as printed

   Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom

7. Frédéric Lai

   Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières

   Affiliation as printed

   Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières BRGM, 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009, 45060, Orléans Cedex 2, France

8. Richard G. Roethe
   Affiliation as printed

   Mineco Limited, 5th Floor, Stephenson House, 2 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, CR0 6BA, United Kingdom

9. Frédéric Goettmann
   Affiliation as printed

   Extracthive, 1637 Chemin de la Montagne, 84700, Sorgues, France

10. Marius Braun Aachen Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Wüllnerstr. 2, 52062, Aachen, Germany

11. Kathryn Ruth Moore

    University of Exeter

    Affiliation as printed

    Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Daphne du Maurier Building, Penryn, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom

12. Jérôme Bodin

    Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières

    Affiliation as printed

    Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières BRGM, 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009, 45060, Orléans Cedex 2, France