Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
ec1592db-6540-44bf-b448-e8cdc7c4014b
Materials
Associated ID
6563f62e-f526-4c2a-97f7-6967a3c7b0d7
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents iron ore underground mining in Xizang. It covers the life cycle inventory cradle-to-gate, starting from rock drilling to the production of iron ore, encompassing all activities related to iron concentrate mining and production, but excluding the production of drilling machines, transportation equipment, personnel travel during mining operations, and direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from daily office activities. The dataset was formed by consolidating data from multiple sources based on national guidelines 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 of open-pit iron ore mining in Xizang.
Activity Description
This dataset describes underground iron ore mining in Tibet Province, and its process flow is as follows:
1. Drilling
Drilling is the process of boring holes into the underground ore body to prepare for blasting. Drilling machines (such as drill rigs) are used to create holes in the ore body for loading explosives. The accuracy and efficiency of drilling directly affect the subsequent blasting effectiveness and overall mining performance.
2. Blasting
Blasting involves detonating explosives in pre-drilled holes to fracture the ore. Through blasting, the ore is broken down into smaller pieces suitable for loading and transportation. Blasting operations require precise control of the amount of explosives and detonation timing to ensure uniform ore fragmentation and operational safety.
3. Loading
Loading is the process of loading broken ore into mine trucks or other transport equipment. Equipment such as loaders and excavators is used for ore loading. The efficiency of loading is crucial to subsequent transportation and mining progress.
4. Transportation
Underground ore transportation is the process of moving loaded ore to hoisting points. Transport methods include mine trucks, electric carts, or belt conveyors. The transportation system must be properly designed to ensure safe and efficient ore delivery.
5. Hoisting
Hoisting is the process of transporting underground ore to the surface using hoisting systems. Hoists or lifting equipment are primarily used to raise the ore to the surface. The safety and efficiency of hoisting equipment directly affect the overall mining operation.
6. Ventilation
Ventilation is the process of ensuring air circulation in underground mines to supply fresh air and remove harmful gases. Ventilation systems include fans, airways, and air regulation devices to ensure a suitable working environment underground.
7. Drainage
Drainage in underground mining areas involves managing accumulated water within the mine, including groundwater and seepage. Equipment such as drainage pumps and pipelines are used to remove this water, preventing adverse effects on mining operations and equipment.
Process Description
This dataset describes an iron ore deposit in Tibet, with the following information:
The ore type is classified according to the natural assemblage characteristics of minerals in the ore and the characteristics of the ore-bearing rock series. Within the mining area, the iron ore is entirely of the hornblende schist type. Based on the content characteristics of valuable components in the ore, two ore types can be further distinguished:
1. Dense massive magnetite (high-grade ore): Found in the central part of the ore layer, appearing as black to gray-black dense massive ore with conchoidal fractures. It exhibits euhedral to subhedral granular texture, and has dense massive and densely disseminated structures. The ore is mainly composed of magnetite, which occurs as medium to coarse-grained, euhedral to subhedral crystals, uniformly and densely distributed. Gangue minerals are primarily hornblende and biotite, followed by minor amounts of calcite, epidote, dolomite, etc. Banded magnetite (low-grade ore): occurs near the top and bottom of the ore layer or interbedded within high-grade ore layers, exhibiting a scaly recrystallized texture and banded structure. It consists of magnetite and minor siliceous material. The ore is stained brownish-red by limonite, and in hand specimens, pyrrhotite crystals are observed, with hematite and limonite impregnating along cleavages and fractures. Iron mainly occurs in magnetite, accounting for 85. 23 percent, followed by occurrence in limonite (7.1%), and minor amounts in silicate iron, carbonate iron, and sulfide minerals. Associated beneficial components in the iron ore include manganese, with variable content ranging from 0.05% to 2.97% and an average of 1.86%, which currently has no economic value. (3) Harmful components—Sulfur: The sulfur content in the iron ore varies within a narrow range of 0.060% to 0.087%, averaging 0.076%. Sulfur mainly occurs in the form of iron sulfides such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, and marcasite, classifying this as low-sulfur ore. Phosphorus: The phosphorus content in the ore is also low, at 0.0230. between 0.042%, averaging 0.035%, mainly occurring in apatite minerals, belonging to low-grade phosphate ore.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China,Xizang Autonomous Region
Geography comment
Forming an average dataset for Tibet through merging data from multiple sources
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
The underground mining process of iron ore in China includes procedures such as drilling, blasting, loading, transportation, hoisting, ventilation, and drainage.