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

Beylot, Antoine; Segura-Salazar, Juliana; Brito-Parada, Pablo R.; Paneri, Anshul; Yan, Xiaoyu; Lai, Frédéric; Roethe, Richard G.; Thomas, Gareth; Goettmann, Frédéric; Braun, Marius; Moradi, Saeid; Fitzpatrick, Rob; Moore, Kathryn; Bodin, Jérôme

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127647

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Although the main social hotspots are the same for both systems, a majority of the hotspots of the RES occur outside Bosnia, likely due to the fact that the supply chain of the electric system is more diversified leading to more globalised impacts [47]. Overall, these results suggest that running the SSM on RES has both advantages and disadvantages compared to diesel generator (see [46] and [47] for the complete assessment). It should be noted that these environmental and social LCAs were performed based on one mine site and for one energy scenario only.…”

Section: Wider Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…The implementation of the RES leads to significantly lower impacts for most environmental impact categories such as climate change and air pollution related impacts. However, trade-offs are also observed in particular for three impact categories, freshwater eutrophication and ecotoxicity and noncancer human health effects, for which the RES has higher impacts [46]. In terms of the social impacts, the RES results in higher impacts for 27 of the 39 social indicators than the diesel generator system.…”

Section: Wider Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study focuses on the techno-economic feasibility of the RES for SSM, however, in order to have a triple bottom line perspective, the environmental and social viability of the RES should also be assessed. To that end, Beylot et al [46] assess the environmental performance of the SOSO approach while Muller et al assess its social performances [47], both using a RES for the Olovo SSM from a life cycle perspective. The environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) and the social LCA are conducted based on the RES as defined in Table 3 in comparison with a diesel generator system.…”

Section: Wider Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Renewable energy can make small-scale mining in Europe more feasible

Paneri¹,

Moore²,

Beylot³

et al. 2021

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

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Section: Wider Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Wider Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Wider Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Renewable energy can make small-scale mining in Europe more feasible

Paneri¹,

Moore²,

Beylot³

et al. 2021

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

Self Cite

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“…The change of the energy mix (e.g. moving from a large fossil fuel share to a large renewable fuel share) can affect the results for most of the impact categories, as has been shown to be the case for small-scale mining operations (Beylot et al 2021).…”

Section: Key Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life Cycle Assessment in mineral processing – a review of the role of flotation

Marmiroli

Rigamonti

Brito-Parada

2021

Int J Life Cycle Assess

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Purpose The aim of this literature review is to investigate the role of the beneficiation stage in the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of metals and minerals with a focus on the flotation process. Methods The systematic literature search included LCA studies comprising the beneficiation stage in their system boundaries and resulted in 29 studies that met the criteria requirements and were analysed. First, the system boundaries are investigated, along with the level of detail in the description of the sub-processes (e.g. flotation) and data granularity. Then, the life cycle inventories are scrutinised: data transparency and the relation between system granularity and data availability is commented. Of particular relevance, the way in which the functional unit is dealt with is examined. Finally, studies impact assessments are compared and discussed, and key parameters are highlighted. Results and discussion For system boundaries, beneficiation is generally embedded into the mining stage. Even when described on its own, important sub-processes (e.g. flotation) are not considered, except for eight cases analysed. Functional unit definition is hindered by the output of the system being an intermediate product. Indeed, most studies use a declared functional unit but fail to provide its relevant characteristics, which is essential for a correct interpretation of results and for comparisons. Most studies rely on secondary data, not always presented transparently, to describe beneficiation. Results on the role of beneficiation in the metal value chain environmental impacts are conflicting, partly because of its site dependency. Site-dependent parameters found to be determining are ore grade, energy mix, mining technique, concentrate grade and ore mineralogy. Conclusions The flotation process, and more generally the beneficiation stage, is typically overlooked in LCA studies despite its growing relevance. Beneficiation not being assessed as a standalone stage, detailed in its subprocess, the use of outdated and secondary data, along with a lack of transparency in the inventory and in the key parameters are all factors that affect the environmental assessment of the entire metal and mineral sector, and thus the LCA of many products. Recommendation Greater efforts should be allocated to considering the sub-processes in the beneficiation stage, particularly flotation. Information on the identified key parameters should be available to the practitioners and sensitivity analyses to investigate their influence are recommended. Hotspots specific to flotation have been identified and should be used to orient data gathering when focusing on this process. Five options of functional unit and their application are recommended.

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“…We note that small-scale operations are amenable to renewable energy provision (Paneri et al, 2021) and have a smaller physical footprint and dramatically reduced mining wastes, relative to large-scale operations, despite lower automation. We note that Beylot et al (2021) have completed environmental life cycle assessment of the pilot work at Olovo, and identified the environmental hotspots of SOSO mining. We thus maintain our focus on workforce and training, where employees are assets with situated knowledge and social identity, who can work collaboratively for the promotion of long-term sustainability, even by short-term mining operations.…”

Section: Local Employment and Sustainability?mentioning

confidence: 99%