Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
9f0b8b61-0e06-4c0c-a88a-0211a5e8d9bf
Materials
Associated ID
ffebbbc6-e169-4775-979d-94e42742d181
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents the life cycle inventory (cradle-to-gate) of magnetite ore mining in China, covering all activities related to iron ore mining production from drilling to the production of iron ore, but excluding the production of drilling rigs, transportation equipment, personnel travel, and indirect or direct greenhouse gas emissions from daily office operations during the mining production process. The dataset was 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)', and is representative of the average production level for magnetite mining in China.
Activity Description
This dataset describes the mining of iron ore, with mining methods primarily including two basic forms: open-pit mining and underground mining. Open-pit mining involves exposing the ore body directly at the surface by removing overlying rock and soil, and then extracting the ore. This method is typically applied to deposits that are relatively shallow and large in scale, offering advantages such as lower mining costs and higher production efficiency. Typical open-pit mining steps include drilling, blasting, stripping overburden, ore loading, and transportation. Major equipment used includes excavators, drill rigs, bulldozers, and haul trucks. Underground mining: Underground mining is mainly used for deeper ore bodies, accessing the ore through the construction of underground shafts and tunnels. This method is suitable for deposits where the ore body is buried deeply or where surface conditions are unsuitable for open-pit mining. The underground mining process includes shaft construction, ore extraction, and hoisting, using equipment such as drilling jumbos, hoists, and mine cars. The advantage of underground mining is its relatively small surface disturbance; however, it is more costly and requires stringent safety measures.
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 development. China is the world's largest steel producer and has a significant demand for iron ore. Based on the natural types of ore and ore processing technological properties, ores are classified into three types according to the TFe/FeO ratio. Among them, magnetite ore (TFe/FeO ≤ 3.5): steel-gray to dark gray, granular in texture, with massive, banded, spotted, or disseminated structures.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China
Geography comment
Chinese average data are formed by merging multiple provincial datasets.
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
This dataset describes the mining of magnetite ore, mainly including two forms: Open-pit mining: directly accessing the ore by removing overlying rock and soil, suitable for shallow deposits, with lower costs and high production efficiency, commonly using large equipment such as excavators and bulldozers. Underground mining: accessing deep ore bodies through constructing underground tunnels, suitable for deeply buried deposits, with higher costs and minimal surface disruption, but requiring higher safety measures.