Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
167bc50e-8f38-4f68-8472-6e86d6a9e3a5
Materials
Associated ID
ff8b797f-9036-4153-a8a4-bc81c01a38fa
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents the life cycle inventory of open-pit mined magnetite ore in China, covering the entire process from drilling to iron ore production (cradle-to-gate). It includes all activities associated with magnetite ore mining and production, but excludes greenhouse gas emissions, direct or indirect, from the production of drilling equipment, transportation vehicles, personnel commuting, and daily office operations during the mining production process. The dataset was compiled from multiple data sources based on national standards such as the 'Manual of Production and Emission Coefficients for the Iron Ore Mining and Processing Industry (0810)', 'Emission standard of pollutants for mining and mineral procressing industry (GB 28661-2012)', 'Cleaning production standard Iron ore mining and mineral processing industry', and 'The norm of the energy consumption per unit product of iron ore dressing(GB31337-2014)', and is representative of the average production level of open-pit magnetite mining in China.
Activity Description
This dataset describes open-pit iron ore mining, and the process flow is as follows:
1. Drilling
Drilling is a step in the open-pit mining process used to prepare for blasting. Drilling machines are generally used to drill a series of holes into the ore body, which will then be filled with explosives. The main objective of drilling is to ensure that the blasting effectively fractures the ore, facilitating subsequent loading and transportation. Parameters such as drilling depth, hole spacing, and hole diameter must be designed according to the characteristics of the ore body and the mining plan.
2. Blasting
Blasting is one of the most critical steps in open-pit mining. By filling drilled holes with blasting agents (such as emulsion explosives, nitroglycerin-based explosives, etc.) and then detonating them, the ore is broken into smaller fragments. The effectiveness of blasting directly influences the efficiency of subsequent loading and transportation operations. Blasting operations require strict control of timing, charge quantity, and blasting methods to ensure both uniform fragmentation of the ore and operational safety.
3. Shoveling
Shoveling is the process of loading crushed ore into transportation equipment. This operation is typically carried out using equipment such as excavators and loaders. The efficiency of shoveling directly affects ore transportation and the overall economic viability of the mining process. Shoveling operations must consider factors such as ore distribution, equipment operating range, and efficiency.
4. Transportation
Transportation is the process of moving the excavated ore from the mining area to the processing plant or storage area. Common transportation methods include haul trucks, conveyors, and belt conveyors. The primary objectives during transportation are to ensure the safe and efficient movement of ore, minimizing ore loss and contamination. The selection and layout of transportation equipment must be rationally designed based on factors such as mine topography, ore characteristics, and transportation distance. Drainage
During open-pit mining, rainwater, groundwater, or other liquids often accumulate in the mining area. Therefore, drainage is a crucial component in ensuring smooth mining operations. Drainage systems typically include facilities such as ditches, pump stations, and drainage pipelines, designed to rapidly remove accumulated water from the mining area, preventing equipment damage and ensuring operational safety.
Process Description
Iron ore is the primary raw material for steel production, and steel is one of the core materials in modern industry and infrastructure development. China is the world's largest steel producer and has enormous demand for iron ore. Based on the natural types of ore and ore processing technological properties, ores are classified into three categories according to the TFe/FeO ratio. Among them, magnetite ore (TFe/FeO ≤ 3.5): steel-gray to dark gray, granular texture, with massive, banded, spotted, or disseminated structure.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China
Geography comment
Forming China's average data by merging multiple provincial datasets
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
Open-pit mining includes processes such as drilling, blasting, loading, transportation, drainage, environmental protection, and road maintenance.