Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
d9624651-1f49-4850-8c3c-a84154e64888
Materials
Associated ID
ee5e1714-9aad-4601-97ee-7fd9f820664e
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents the life cycle inventory of open-pit iron ore mining in Liaoning (cradle-to-gate), starting from rock drilling to the production of iron ore. It covers all activities related to iron ore mining and production, but excludes greenhouse gas emissions, both direct and indirect, from the manufacturing of drilling equipment, transportation vehicles, personnel transportation, and daily office operations during the mining production process. The dataset was formed by merging 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 open-pit iron ore mining in Liaoning.
Activity Description
This dataset describes open-pit mining of iron ore in Liaoning Province, with the following process steps:
1. Drilling
Drilling is a step in the open-pit mining process used to prepare for blasting. Drill rigs are generally used to bore a series of holes into the ore body, which will then be filled with explosives. The main 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 drilled holes with blasting agents (such as emulsion explosives, nitroglycerin-based explosives, etc.) and then detonating them, the ore is broken into smaller fragments. 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 ore fragmentation and operational safety.
3. Shoveling
Shoveling is the process of loading crushed ore into transport equipment. It is typically carried out using equipment such as excavators and loaders. The efficiency of shoveling directly affects ore transportation and the overall economic performance of the mining operation. Shoveling operations must take into account factors such as ore distribution, equipment operating range, and efficiency.
4. Transportation
Transportation is the process of moving excavated ore from the mining area to a processing plant or storage area. Common transportation methods include haul trucks, conveyors, and belt conveyors. The primary objectives during transportation are 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 terrain, ore characteristics, and transport distance.
5. Drainage
During open-pit mining, rainwater, groundwater, or other liquids often accumulate in the mining area. Therefore, drainage is a crucial step to ensure smooth mining operations. Drainage systems typically include facilities such as ditches, pumping stations, and drainage pipelines, aiming to promptly remove accumulated water from the mining area and prevent operational hazards and equipment damage caused by water ponding.
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,Liaoning
Geography comment
Formation of Liaoning's average data through merging data from multiple sources
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
Forming Liaoning's average data by merging multiple standards and project data