Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
5355ea0a-cf1e-4b41-b126-ab410714d704
Materials
Associated ID
f7d280e6-0c70-4e78-af8e-486a6c9a3c15
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents a life cycle inventory (cradle-to-gate) of bituminous and anthracite production starting from open-pit coal mining, covering all activities related to raw coal production but excluding coal washing processes, as well as direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the production of equipment such as conveyors and mining vehicles, personnel transportation during coal production, and daily office operations. The dataset was compiled from multiple data sources based on national standards such as "Clean Production Standards for Coal Mining and Preparation Industry" (HJ 446-2008), "Emission Standards of Pollutants for Coal Industry", and "Soil Environmental Quality Standards" of the People's Republic of China, and is representative of the average production level in Gansu.
Activity Description
This dataset describes the open-pit mining of bituminous coal and anthracite, with the following process flow:
Drilling: Holes are drilled on the mining face in the mining area according to the distribution of the ore body and mining design, usually using large drilling rigs. The main purpose of drilling is to prepare passages for blasting operations.
Blasting: Blasting is the process of filling the drilled holes with explosives and detonating them to fragment the ore or rock. The broken rock resulting from this process facilitates subsequent excavation and loading.
Loading: Large excavation equipment (such as electric shovels or hydraulic excavators) is used to load the blasted ore or rock onto transport vehicles. Selection of loading equipment typically depends on the size of the orebody and geological conditions.
Crushing: Ore or rock undergoes initial size reduction to facilitate subsequent transportation or further processing. Crushing is usually conducted at the mining site or temporary crushing stations, aiming to reduce ore particle size and improve transport efficiency.
Hauling: Hauling refers to the process of transporting ore or waste rock from the mining face to designated locations, typically using large trucks, belt conveyors, or rail systems. The choice of haulage routes and equipment depends on mine scale and transport distance.
Dumping: Dumping is the process of transporting overburden, waste rock, or other non-ore materials to a waste dump area. Spoil heaps are typically located around the mine site, and their stability and environmental impacts need to be considered.
Pollutant Treatment and Disposal: Waste materials, dust, and wastewater generated during open-pit mining operations must be properly treated. Dust is usually suppressed by water spraying, while wastewater is treated through sedimentation tanks and chemical processes before discharge, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Ecological Restoration and Rehabilitation: Environmental damage caused by mining activities should be mitigated through ecological restoration measures, including topsoil reconstruction, vegetation restoration, and soil and water conservation. The goal of ecological restoration is to rehabilitate the natural ecosystem of the mined area and minimize long-term impacts on the surrounding environment.
Process Description
The coal quality of bituminous and anthracite coal in Gansu Province is as follows: ash content 8.45–23.51%, volatile matter 7.85–47.26%, total sulfur 0.23–3.76%, carbon content 73.59–88.4%, and gross calorific value on an as-received basis (Qnet,ar) 5696–7887 kcal/kg.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China,Gansu
Geography comment
Gansu's average data is formed by 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.