Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
1a589f06-7411-4498-82cb-f810f3cdc02b
Materials
Associated ID
dfc782a9-6edd-4b92-8f31-026910d5df5e
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents the life cycle inventory (cradle-to-gate) of iron ore mining in Inner Mongolia, covering all activities related to iron ore mining and production from drilling to the output of iron ore, but excluding the production of drilling rigs, transport equipment, personnel commuting, and direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from daily office operations during the mining production process. The dataset was formed by integrating data from multiple 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)', which represents the average production level of iron ore mining in Inner Mongolia.
Activity Description
This dataset describes iron ore mining in Inner Mongolia, which primarily involves two basic methods: open-pit mining and underground mining.
Open-pit mining: Open-pit mining involves removing the overlying soil and rock covering the ore body to directly expose the mineral deposit at the surface for extraction. This method is typically applied to large-scale, shallow deposits and offers advantages such as lower mining costs and higher production efficiency. Typical open-pit mining steps include drilling, blasting, overburden removal, ore loading, and transportation. Major equipment used includes excavators, drills, bulldozers, and haul trucks. Underground mining: Underground mining is primarily used for deeper ore bodies, accessing the deposit through the construction of underground shafts and tunnels. This method is suitable for ore deposits with deep burial or where surface conditions are unsuitable for open-pit mining. The process of underground mining includes shaft construction, ore extraction, and hoisting, using equipment such as drills, hoists, and mine cars. The advantages of underground mining are minimal surface disturbance, but it involves higher costs and stringent safety requirements.
Process Description
Iron ore is the primary raw material for steel production, and steel is one of the core materials for modern industry and infrastructure. China is the world's largest steel producer and has enormous demand for iron ore. However, China's iron ore resources are characterized by low grade and high impurity content, requiring most iron ore to undergo beneficiation before use. Magnetic separation is the main beneficiation technology for iron ore in China, especially suitable for magnetite and vanadium-titanium magnetite. For non-magnetic or weakly magnetic ores such as hematite, limonite, and siderite, a combination of processes including roasting, gravity separation, high-intensity magnetic separation, and flotation is typically required to improve the yield and grade of iron concentrate.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Geography comment
Forming average data for Inner Mongolia through data consolidation from multiple sources
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
This dataset describes iron ore mining, mainly including two forms:
Open-pit mining: Directly extracting ore by removing surface rock and soil. It is suitable for shallow deposits, has low cost, high production efficiency, and typically employs large equipment such as excavators and bulldozers.
Underground mining: Accessing deep ore bodies through constructing underground tunnels. It suits deeply buried deposits, has higher cost, causes less surface disturbance, but requires higher safety measures.