Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
09b813e4-8eb7-444e-b9c7-a7a560ea3b66
Materials
Associated ID
ea894a55-d0bd-4250-a906-aff2be5992f0
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents a cradle-to-gate life cycle inventory from open-pit coal mining to raw coal production, covering all activities associated with raw coal production, but excluding coal washing processes, equipment manufacturing (such as conveyors and mining vehicles), personnel transportation during coal production, and direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from daily office operations. The dataset was compiled from multiple data sources in accordance with national standards such as "Clean Production Standard for Coal Mining and Washing Industry" (HJ 446-2008), "Emission Standard of Pollutants for the Coal Industry", and "Soil Environmental Quality Standard" of the People's Republic of China, and is representative of the average production level in China.
Activity Description
This dataset describes the open-pit mining of raw coal, with the following process steps:
Drilling: Holes are drilled on the mining face of the mining area according to the ore body distribution and mining design, typically using large-scale drilling rigs. The primary purpose of drilling is to prepare channels for blasting operations.
Blasting: Blasting involves filling the drilled holes with explosives and detonating them to fracture the ore or rock. This process produces broken rock fragments, facilitating subsequent 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 excavation and loading equipment usually depends on the deposit size and geological conditions.
Crushing: Ore or rock is initially crushed to facilitate subsequent transportation or further processing. Crushing is typically carried out at the mining site or temporary crushing stations, aiming to reduce ore particle size and improve transport efficiency.
Haulage: Haulage refers to the process of transporting ore or waste rock from the mining area to designated locations, usually using large trucks, belt conveyors, or railways. The choice of haulage routes and equipment depends on the mine scale and transportation distance.
Dumping: Dumping is the process of transporting overburden, waste rock, or other non-mineralized materials to waste dumps. Spoil heaps are typically located around the periphery of mines, and their stability and environmental impacts must be considered.
Pollutant Treatment and Disposal: Waste materials, dust, and wastewater generated during open-pit mining operations require proper treatment. Dust is usually suppressed by water sprinkling, while wastewater is treated through sedimentation tanks and chemical processes before discharge, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
Ecological Restoration and Remediation: Environmental damage caused by mining activities must be addressed through ecological restoration measures, including topsoil reclamation, vegetation restoration, and soil and water conservation. The goal of ecological restoration is to recover the natural ecosystem of the mined area and minimize long-term impacts on the surrounding environment.
Process Description
In this dataset, raw coal refers to coal that, after being extracted, has only visible gangue removed and has not undergone any processing. Raw coal is an essential component of the global energy supply chain and is widely used in power generation, steel production, and industrial manufacturing.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China
Geography comment
Forming China's average data through merging multiple provincial datasets
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.