http://jultika.oulu.fi/files/nbnfi-fe2017111450695.pdf

Recycling mine tailings in chemically bonded ceramics : a review

Comparative life cycle assessment of sulfoaluminate clinker production derived from industrial solid wastes and conventional raw materials

Abstract Environmental impacts of the mineral extraction have been a public concern. Presently, there is widespread global interest in the area of mining and its sustainability that focused on the need to shift mining industry to a more sustainable framework. The aim of this study was to systematically assess all possible environmental and climate change related impacts of the limestone quarrying operation in Thailand. By considering the life cycle assessment method, the production processes were divided into three phases: raw material extraction, transportation, and comminution. Both IMPACT 2002+ and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol methods were used. Results of IMPACT 2002+ analysis showed that per 1 ton crushed limestone rock production, the total depletion of resource and GHGs emissions were 79.6 MJ and 2.76 kg CO2 eq., respectively. Regarding to the four damage categories, ‘resources’ and ‘climate change’ categories were the two greatest environmental impacts of the limestone rock production. Diesel fuel and electricity consumption in the mining processes were the main causes of those impacts. For climate change, the unit of CO2 eq. was expressed to quantify the total GHGs emissions. Estimated result was about 3.13 kg CO2 eq. per ton limestone rock product. The results obtained by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol were also similar to IMPACT 2002+ method. Electrical energy consumption was considered as the main driver of GHGs, accounting for approximately 46.8 % of total fossil fuel CO2 emissions. A final point should be noted that data uncertainties in environmental assessment over the complete life cycle of limestone quarrying operation have to be carefully considered.

/pdf/assessment-of-environmental-impacts-of-limestone-quarrying-26o830s8qh.pdf

Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Limestone Quarrying Operations in Thailand

The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and autonomous technologies in the mining industry started about a decade ago with autonomous trucks. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous technologies provide many economic benefits for the mining industry through cost reduction, efficiency, and improving productivity, reducing exposure of workers to hazardous conditions, continuous production, and improved safety. However, the implementation of these technologies has faced economic, financial, technological, workforce, and social challenges. This article discusses the current status of AI, machine learning, and autonomous technologies implementation in the mining industry and highlights potential areas of future application. The article presents the results of interviews with some of the stakeholders in the industry and what their perceptions are about the threats, challenges, benefits, and potential impacts of these advanced technologies. The article also presents their views on the future of these technologies and what are some of the steps needed for successful implementation of these technologies in this sector.

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous technologies in mining industry

Over 90% of the global economy continues to use natural resources unsustainably. The linear “take-make-toss” approach to materials use still prevails over circular economy and industrial ecology ideas in practice. The shift to renewable energy is one step towards building an economy on more circular material flows. But the materials needed to decarbonize electricity and mobility are supplied by mining and extractives industries, places where impacts from natural resource extraction can be most severe. Manufacturers of wind turbines, photovoltaics, batteries and vehicles—critical technologies to the clean energy transition—still primarily rely on feedstocks and inputs from natural resources as opposed to waste for processing and production. Similarly, robust and complete end-of-life (EoL) management strategies are not well developed for these materials. This review synthesizes progress towards a circular economy—reducing impacts from resource extraction, metallurgy, manufacturing, and waste disposal, and resource recovery—in key materials needed to decarbonize electricity and mobility. Efforts to manufacture by principles of sustainable design to reclaim the recycling value of EoL product waste are complicated by new materials and increasingly complex composites. Dialog and collaboration about trends in materials use and waste flows that span extractive industry scientists and professionals to product designers and recyclers will be critical to spurring the technological and policy innovations needed to encourage more progress.

Progress towards a circular economy in materials to decarbonize electricity and mobility

Energy Consumption in Mining Comminution

More than 60% of household energy consumption in Ontario is for heating. Home heating needs in Ontario are driven by exterior temperatures that fluctuate throughout the day. Ontario’s electricity is generated from a different mix of primary energy sources from hour to hour. Using average hourly data for the electricity generation mix and hourly outside temperature data for each month of the year, we estimate residential heating loads and the electricity demands due to the use of three models of heat pump. Then we calculate the resultant greenhouse gas emissions and compare them to emissions if heat pumps are not used. We determine heating needs of single detached dwellings using prototypical average Ontario homes and building simulation software. Using heat pumps in all of these dwellings can reduce heating-related greenhouse gas emissions between 15% and 85% during January, the harshest month of the year. Using heat pumps could also reduce energy consumption for heating by between 12% and 68%, while requiring an approximate 5–25% increase in electricity demand. Heat pumps can provide a significant portion of home heat needs whilst reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Operating costs are lower than that of electric and oil heating, but similar to natural gas heating.

/pdf/heat-pumps-in-ontario-4rqwc2i829.pdf

Heat pumps in Ontario

Definitions of critical nomenclature in environmental discussion

Impact of Technological Advancement on Adoption and Use of Residential Heat Pumps

Home heating accounts for most of the residential energy use in Canada. While natural gas, oil-fired furnaces, and electric resistance are the dominant heating system choices, heat pumps have become a viable alternative. Heat pumps with lower minimum operating temperatures and better performance are increasing both their effectiveness and their number of hours of useful service. In this study, we apply System Dynamics to analyze the effects of technological development on the rate at which homeowners adopt residential air source heat pumps. We test the effects of low, moderate and high rates of technological development, as well as reduced electricity and carbon pricing on the predicted rate of adoption in Ontario. From the perspective of the use stage in life cycle assessment, we estimate energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions. We predict that using heat pumps will substantially reduce overall energy consumption, and in Ontario, where electricity is generated with little use of fossil fuels, it will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

/pdf/effects-of-technological-development-and-electricity-price-2wxfekv28x.pdf

Alex Szekeres

Papers

Energy Consumption in Mining Comminution

Heat pumps in Ontario

Definitions of critical nomenclature in environmental discussion

Impact of Technological Advancement on Adoption and Use of Residential Heat Pumps

Effects of technological development and electricity price reductions on adoption of residential heat pumps in Ontario, Canada