Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
465d60e3-3a80-40ea-a9cd-76669355ddcb
Materials
Associated ID
ff8b797f-9036-4153-a8a4-bc81c01a38fa
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents open-pit mining of magnetite ore in Inner Mongolia. It covers the life cycle inventory (cradle-to-gate) from drilling to the production of iron ore, encompassing all activities related to magnetite ore mining and production, but excluding the production of drilling rigs, transportation equipment, personnel travel during mining operations, and direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from daily office operations. 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)', and is representative of the average production level of open-pit magnetite mining in Inner Mongolia.
Activity Description
This dataset describes open-pit iron ore mining in Inner Mongolia, 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 blast holes with explosives (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, quantity of explosive, and blasting methods to ensure uniform ore fragmentation and operational safety. Shoveling and Loading
Shoveling and loading is the process of loading crushed ore into transportation equipment. This operation is typically carried out using equipment such as excavators and loaders. The efficiency of shoveling and loading directly affects ore transportation and the overall economic performance of the mining process. Factors such as ore distribution, equipment operating range, and efficiency must be considered during shoveling and loading operations.
4. Transportation
Transportation is the process of moving excavated ore from the mining area to the processing plant or storage area. Common transportation methods include haul trucks, conveyor belts, and belt conveyors. The primary objectives during transportation are to ensure the safe and efficient movement of ore, while minimizing ore loss and contamination. The selection and layout of transportation equipment should be rationally designed based on factors such as mine topography, ore characteristics, and transportation distance.
5. Drainage
During open-pit mining, significant amounts of rainwater, groundwater, or other liquids often accumulate in the mining area. Therefore, drainage is a crucial step in ensuring smooth mining operations. Drainage systems typically include facilities such as drainage ditches, pumping stations, and drainage pipelines, aiming to quickly remove accumulated water from the mining area and prevent operational hazards or equipment damage caused by water accumulation.
Process Description
Iron ore is the primary raw material for steel production, and steel is one of the core materials in modern industry and infrastructure development. China is the world's largest steel producer and has enormous demand for iron ore. Based on the natural types of ore and ore processing technological properties, ores are classified into three categories according to the TFe/FeO ratio. Among them, magnetite ore (TFe/FeO ≤ 3.5): steel-gray to dark gray, granular texture, with massive, banded, spotted, or disseminated structure.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Geography comment
Forming China's average data by merging multiple provincial datasets
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
Open-pit mining includes processes such as drilling, blasting, loading, transportation, drainage, environmental protection, and road maintenance.