Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
17c05501-b497-4193-9738-397300106950
Materials
Associated ID
ea894a55-d0bd-4250-a906-aff2be5992f0
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents a life cycle inventory (cradle-to-gate) for raw coal production starting from open-pit coal mining, covering all activities related to raw coal production, but excluding coal washing processes, equipment production such as conveyors and mining vehicles, direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from personnel transportation and daily office operations during coal production. The dataset is compiled from multiple data sources based on national standards such as "Cleaner Production Standard for Coal Mining and Selection Industry" (HJ 446-2008), "Emission Standards for Coal Industry Pollutants", and "Soil Environmental Quality Standards" of the People's Republic of China, and is representative of the average production level in Ningxia.
Activity Description
This dataset describes the open-pit mining of raw coal, with the following process steps:
Drilling: Holes are drilled on the mining face of the mining area according to the ore body distribution and mining design, typically using large-scale drilling rigs. The primary purpose of drilling is to prepare channels for blasting operations.
Blasting: Blasting involves filling the drilled holes with explosives and detonating them to fracture the ore or rock. This process produces broken rock fragments, facilitating subsequent loading operations.
Loading: Large excavation equipment (such as electric shovels or hydraulic excavators) is used to load the blasted ore or rock onto transport vehicles. The selection of excavation and loading equipment usually depends on the deposit size and geological conditions.
Crushing: Ore or rock is initially crushed to facilitate subsequent transportation or further processing. Crushing is typically carried out at the mining site or temporary crushing stations, aiming to reduce ore particle size and improve transport efficiency.
Haulage: Haulage refers to the process of transporting ore or waste rock from the mining area to designated locations, usually using large trucks, belt conveyors, or railways. The choice of haulage routes and equipment depends on the mine scale and transportation distance.
Dumping: Dumping is the process of transporting overburden, waste rock, or other non-mineralized materials to waste dumps. Spoil heaps are typically located around the periphery of mines, and their stability and environmental impacts must be considered.
Pollutant Treatment and Disposal: Waste materials, dust, and wastewater generated during open-pit mining operations require proper treatment. Dust is usually suppressed by water sprinkling, while wastewater is treated through sedimentation tanks and chemical processes before discharge, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
Ecological Restoration and Remediation: Environmental damage caused by mining activities must be addressed through ecological restoration measures, including topsoil reclamation, vegetation restoration, and soil and water conservation. The goal of ecological restoration is to recover the natural ecosystem of the mined area and minimize long-term impacts on the surrounding environment.
Process Description
The coalfields in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region are widely distributed. Coal reserves are found throughout the region, except in five counties and cities: Xiji, Longde, Jingyuan, Wuzhong, and Yongning, among the total nineteen counties and cities. The coal-bearing area reaches 11,688.9 km², accounting for 17.6% of the region's total area. The entire region can be divided into four major coalfields: the Helan Mountain coalfield in the north, the Lingyan coalfield in the east, the Guyuan coalfield in the south, and the Xiangshan coalfield in the west. Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is rich in coal resources with a complete variety of coal types, mainly coking coal, anthracite, and non-caking coal. The raw coal quality is characterized by ash content of 5.01–16.42%, volatile matter of 7.72–36.52%, and total sulfur of 0.2–0. 79%, Qnet,ar net calorific value on as-received basis 6500~8558 kcal/kg.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China,Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Geography comment
Forming average data for Ningxia through merging data from multiple sources.
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
Open-pit mining includes drilling, blasting, loading, crushing, transportation, waste dumping, pollutant treatment and disposal, and ecological restoration and management.