Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
8c0e9065-67e6-4f43-8d2a-32debc98b438
Materials
Associated ID
e2f3e4c1-e9c8-4b9d-a8c8-8e087d4dc872
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents a life cycle inventory (cradle-to-gate) of lignite production starting from open-pit coal mining, covering all activities associated with raw coal production but excluding coal washing and preparation processes, as well as the production of equipment such as conveyors and mining vehicles, personnel transportation, and direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from daily office operations during coal production. The dataset was formed by merging data from multiple sources based on national standards such as "Cleaner Production Standard 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 Guangxi.
Activity Description
This dataset describes the open-pit mining of lignite, with the following operational procedures:
Drilling: Holes are drilled on the mining face of the mining area according to the distribution of the ore body and mining design, typically using large-scale drilling rigs. The primary purpose of drilling is to prepare passages for blasting operations.
Blasting: Blasting involves filling the drilled holes with explosives and detonating them to fragment the ore or rock. This process produces broken stones, facilitating subsequent excavation and 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 loading equipment typically depends on the size of the ore body and geological conditions.
Crushing: Ore or rock is initially crushed to facilitate subsequent transportation or further processing. Crushing is usually carried out 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 area to designated locations, typically using large trucks, belt conveyors, or railways. The choice of haulage routes and equipment depends on the scale of the mine and the transport distance.
Dumping: Dumping is the process of moving stripped topsoil, waste rock, or other non-ore materials to a waste dump site. Spoil heaps are typically located around the mining area, and their stability and environmental impacts must be considered.
Pollutant Treatment and Disposal: Waste materials, dust, and wastewater generated during open-pit mining operations need proper treatment. Dust is usually controlled through water spraying, while wastewater is treated via sedimentation tanks and chemical processes before discharge, ensuring compliance with environmental protection standards.
Ecological Restoration and Remediation: Environmental damage caused by mining operations should be addressed 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
Guangxi lignite is mainly distributed in the Nanning coalfield and Baise coalfield, with coal quality characterized by ash content of 27.38–35.28%, volatile matter of 48.82–50.57%, total sulfur of 1.31–1.93%, and net calorific value on an as-received basis (Qnet,ar) of 4500 kcal/kg.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Geography comment
Forming Guangxi'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 drilling, blasting, loading, crushing, transportation, waste dumping, pollutant treatment and disposal, and ecological restoration and management.