Avaliação do ciclo de vida, aplicação na mineração do ouro

Abstract

This document aims to expose the environmental impact of mining and mineral processing industries using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool, in which they propose techniques whit methodology that allow a better understanding of the problems and propose sustainable solutions. The areas of urgency for improvement indicate where the efforts of mining and mineral processing industries should be directed to achieve a sustainable future. The use of heavy equipment that consumes a significant amount of electrical, mechanical, and heat energy crucially affects the ecosystem, natural resources, global warming, and human health. By using LCA techniques, we gain insight into which study objects generate the greatest impact and what changes are necessary to make the system more sustainable. Off-mine impacts were predominantly found in off site processes across the three final indicators: human health, ecosystem quality and resource depletion. The integration of renewable energies in the mineral processing sector and the heating of processes using green energy sources are emerging areas of research that can enable solutions.