The Life Cycle of Copper, Its Co-Products and Byproducts

Ayres, Robert U.; Ayres, Leslie; Råde, Ingrid

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-3379-3

Cited by 104 publications

(94 citation statements)

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“…After ore sorting and grinding, used in both types of ore, the main technique used for concentration of sulfide ores is froth flotation followed by smelting and refining (pyrometallurgical process) while in the case of oxide ores (and some low grade sulfide ores) a heap leaching process is combined with solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) (hydrometallurgical process) [25].…”

Section: Coppermentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreasing Ore Grades in Global Metallic Mining: A Theoretical Issue or a Global Reality?

et al. 2016

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Abstract:Mining industry requires high amounts of energy to extract and process resources, including a variety of concentration and refining processes. Using energy consumption information, different sustainability issues can be addressed, such as the relationship with ore grade over the years, energy variations in electricity or fossil fuel use. A rigorous analysis and understanding of the energy intensity use in mining is the first step towards a more sustainable mining industry and, globally, better resource management. Numerous studies have focused on the energy consumption of mining projects, with analysis carried out primarily in one single country or one single region. This paper quantifies, on a global level, the relationship between ore grade and energy intensity. With the case of copper, the study has shown that the average copper ore grade is decreasing over time, while the energy consumption and the total material production in the mine increases. Analyzing only copper mines, the average ore grade has decreased approximately by 25% in just ten years. In that same period, the total energy consumption has increased at a higher rate than production (46% energy increase over 30% production increase).

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Section: Coppermentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreasing Ore Grades in Global Metallic Mining: A Theoretical Issue or a Global Reality?

et al. 2016

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“…However, high rates of use also contribute to apprehension about copper's long-term availability (15,18). Copper's economic significance suggests that global supply chains are sensitive to changes (real or perceived) in copper availability.…”

Section: Exploring the Utility Of Metrics: The Case Of Coppermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Technological improvements have made it economically feasible to exploit lower grade ores, increasing reserve size and postponing depletion. Between 1970 and 1993, when US copper grade remained a relatively constant 0.5%, the costs of western world copper mining decreased, illustrating the effect of improving technologies (15,32). Copper prices decreased over the same period of time, until 2006, when they reached the past half century historical high (8).…”

Section: Exploring the Utility Of Metrics: The Case Of Coppermentioning

confidence: 99%

Material Availability and the Supply Chain: Risks, Effects, and Responses

Alonso

Gregory

Field

et al. 2007

Environ. Sci. Technol.

136

110

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Many authors suggest that market forces are inadequate to successfully manage the problems of resource availability and use. The fundamental question is whether these inadequacies are intrinsic to the market or if they arise from a failure of firms to detect and respond to subtle market signals. This paper explores the latter by describing (1) mechanisms that can limit materials availability, (2) effects of such limits on the firm, (3) preliminary metrics to diagnose these risks, and (4) strategies to reduce a firm's risk exposure. Case analyses of two materials systems are used to suggest that private firm interests, when properly informed, can motivate strategies that drive toward sustainable materials use. These strategies include (1) improving production efficiency, (2) developing technology to use more sustainable substitute materials, and (3) facilitating a more effective materials recycling infrastructure.

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“…Nowadays, the grades have fallen in a global average below 1% (Ayres et al 2003). Worldwide 70% of the copper production originates from open cut operations.…”

Section: Resource Intensity Of Copper Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Ayres et al 2003, Krauss et al 1999. The abatement efficiency for SO 2 is likely to be higher for newer smelting facilities due to technological improvement and stricter legislation.…”

Section: Pyro-and Hydrometallurgical Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life Cycle Inventories of Metals and Methodological Aspects of Inventorying Material Resources in ecoinvent (7 pp)

Althaus

Classen

2004

Int J Life Cycle Assessment

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The present paper describes the goal and scope of metal inventories in the ecoinvent database and provides an overview of its content with special focus on mining waste disposal. Furthermore, some important methodological aspects of inventorying metals are discussed. The focus in this part is on inventorying resources, especially joint resources. The aspects are shown on a case study of global copper production. Goal and Scope of Metals' LCI in ecoinventFor general information on goal and scope of the ecoinvent database, refer to Frischknecht et al. (2004a). The goal of the metal inventories in ecoinvent is to provide generic background data to be used in an LCA of products and processes. Ecoinvent datasets on metal production are not meant to be used directly to analyse the metal producing processes nor can ecoinvent data be used to compare similar alloys of the same metals. Like all ecoinvent data, the metal inventories relate to the common technology mix for the year 2000 and to Europe or Switzerland. Since metal markets are global, datasets for other regions are established to be used in the production mixes for Europe. Metals inventoriedCast iron and three types of steel (unalloyed, low alloyed and stainless steel (Cr/Ni 18/8)) are inventoried in ecoinvent. World average data for mining and beneficiation of iron ore, sinter and pellet production, and the metallurgical processes are inventoried. Blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) processes are inventoried for primary steel production (converter steel), while secondary steel is produced by the electric arc furnace (EAF) process. The comprehensive data is based on sources from industry, literature and physical dependencies.Ecoinvent includes data for the primary aluminium production via Bayer-process and electrolysis, and for the secondary production from both new and old scrap.World average data of bauxite mining is used while the rest of the aluminium production data relates to the European situation. The comprehensive data is based on sources mainly from industry.The joint production of copper and molybdenum is described in more detail in the case study to this paper.The primary nickel and ferronickel production is modelled for the global situation. Nickel is co-produced with copper DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/lca2004.11.181.5 Abstract Goal, Scope and Background. The ecoinvent database provides harmonised generic life cycle inventories for metal production and processing. They can be used as background data for different LCA applications. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the metals inventoried in ecoinvent. Beside, some methodological background information is given. The focus lies on a new methodology developed to inventorying joint resources. The implementation is shown in a case study of the production of primary copper on a global average. The respective process is assessed with Eco-indicator 99 (H,A) to identify dominant impacts within the production chain. Methods. In ecoinvent, a coupled production is inventoried in mu...

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The Life Cycle of Copper, Its Co-Products and Byproducts

Cited by 104 publications

References 0 publications

Decreasing Ore Grades in Global Metallic Mining: A Theoretical Issue or a Global Reality?

Decreasing Ore Grades in Global Metallic Mining: A Theoretical Issue or a Global Reality?

Material Availability and the Supply Chain: Risks, Effects, and Responses

Life Cycle Inventories of Metals and Methodological Aspects of Inventorying Material Resources in ecoinvent (7 pp)

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