Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
e01cf539-0bbb-4bdc-9619-4b76612eacd7
Materials
Associated ID
d73e427a-23ac-4de7-b0ef-687ffd062cd6
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
The copper grade in the copper concentrate described by this dataset is approximately 25%. This dataset describes 1 kg of copper concentrate obtained through mining and mineral processing, including energy (electricity, fuel) consumption and environmental emissions from its production process. Energy consumption and pollutants in the mining stage mainly originate from diesel consumption for operating mining vehicles and explosives used for ore blasting. Infrastructure such as production equipment, construction of facilities, and employee commuting are not included within the system boundary of the dataset. The life cycle inventory is compiled from data from multiple sources. The production activities of this product include mining, mineral processing, and wastewater treatment. Among them, mining methods are divided into open-pit and underground mining, mainly including processes such as drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, and primary crushing; mineral processing mainly includes further processes such as secondary crushing (autogenous grinding), ball milling (semi-autogenous grinding), flotation, thickening, and dewatering.
Activity Description
The dataset includes energy consumption, raw and auxiliary material usage, and pollutant emissions during copper ore mining and beneficiation processes. Copper ore is obtained through open-pit or underground mining, and the copper grade of the ore affects the efficiency of subsequent processing. Copper ore beneficiation involves grinding, flotation, and thickening and dewatering processes. Grinding reduces the ore to a fine powder to facilitate subsequent processing. In the flotation process, various chemical reagents (collectors, frothers, etc.) are added to separate copper minerals from gangue, after which the copper minerals are collected and concentrated. Subsequent dewatering involves filtration and drying to control moisture content within a certain range, producing copper concentrate. Meanwhile, after concentration and dewatering, tailings are generally pumped to tailings dams near the mine site for safe storage, ensuring no emissions occur. Wastewater generated during the mineral processing is sent to wastewater treatment plants; most of the treated water is recycled back into the production system, while the remaining small portion is discharged after meeting regulatory standards.
Process Description
The production process of copper concentrate involves a series of steps including mining and mineral processing, ultimately transforming the ore into a concentrate with a certain copper grade. During the production of copper concentrate, by-product concentrates such as molybdenum concentrate and iron concentrate are generally generated. The copper concentrate is then sent to smelters to be converted into blister copper, which is subsequently refined into cathode copper at refineries.
Time period
2021
2026
Geography
China
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology