Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
78703202-aa4f-4ac8-9f24-c6b2fc4fc55a
Materials
Associated ID
ee5e1714-9aad-4601-97ee-7fd9f820664e
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents the open-pit mining of iron ore in Hebei. It includes a life cycle inventory cradle-to-gate, covering all activities associated with iron ore mining production from rock drilling to iron ore output, but excluding the production of drilling rigs, transportation equipment, direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from personnel commuting, and daily office operations during the mining production process. The dataset is 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)'. It represents the average production level of open-pit iron ore mining in Hebei.
Activity Description
This dataset describes open-pit mining of iron ore in Hebei Province. The process steps are as follows:
1. Drilling
Drilling is a step in open-pit mining used to prepare for blasting. Drill rigs are generally used to drill a series of holes into the ore body, which will then be filled with explosives. The primary objective of drilling is to ensure that the blasting effectively fragments 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 pre-drilled holes with blasting agents (such as emulsion explosives, nitroglycerin-based explosives, etc.) and then detonating them, the ore is fragmented into smaller pieces. The effectiveness of blasting directly influences the efficiency of subsequent loading and hauling operations. Blasting operations require strict control over timing, charge quantity, and blasting methods to ensure uniform fragmentation of the ore and operational safety. Shoveling and Loading
Shoveling and loading refers to the process of loading broken ore into transport equipment. This operation is typically carried out using machinery such as excavators and loaders. The efficiency of shoveling and loading directly affects ore transportation and the overall economic performance of the mining process. Factors such as ore distribution, equipment operational range, and efficiency must be considered during shoveling and loading operations.
4. Transportation
Transportation refers to the process of moving excavated ore from the mining area to processing plants or storage areas. Common transportation methods include haul trucks, conveyor belts, and belt conveyors. The primary objective during transportation is to ensure the safe and efficient movement of ore, minimizing ore loss and contamination. The selection and layout of transportation equipment should be rationally designed based on factors such as topography of the mine site, ore characteristics, and transport distance.
5. Drainage
During open-pit mining operations, rainwater, groundwater, or other liquids often accumulate in the mining area. Therefore, drainage is a crucial aspect to ensure smooth mining operations. Drainage systems typically include facilities such as ditches, pumping stations, and drainage pipelines, aimed at rapidly removing accumulated water from the mining area to prevent equipment damage and ensure operational safety.
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,Hebei
Geography comment
Forming Hebei's average data through merging data from multiple sources
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.