Quantifying C02-eq emissions of Ore-based PGM concentration process in South Africa and identification of immediate environmental impacts

M. J. Mabiza, C. Mbohwa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Platinum group metals (PGM) are accredited for their contribution in reducing environmental damage through technological innovations. In recent years interest in hydrogen has grown rapidly resulting to the development of the concept of hydrogen economy to address two growingly noticed challenges namely climate change impacts due to GHG emissions and the need for clean energy and sustainability supply. The credits to PGM are of no doubt, but activities around PGM recovery process are reported with environmental concerns; the best known are identified as land transformation, livestock and wildlife affected by use of chemicals and other non-renewable resources. Life cycle analysis of ore-concentration was developed and equivalent carbon dioxide emissions quantified. For one metric ton of Ore-based PGM Concentrate, a total amount of equivalent carbon dioxide of about 1.574,96 kg C02-eq was associated with this process. In an annual initiative, the concentrator can process up to 36,547 million metric tons of ore milled accounting for 57,560,063,120 kgC02-eq. Important emissions in this phase are waterborne and emissions to soil.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWCE 2015 - World Congress on Engineering 2015
EditorsS. I. Ao, Len Gelman, Len Gelman, David W.L. Hukins, Andrew Hunter, Alexander M. Korsunsky, S. I. Ao, S. I. Ao
PublisherNewswood Limited
Pages863-865
Number of pages3
ISBN (Electronic)9789881404701
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event2015 World Congress on Engineering, WCE 2015 - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 1 Jul 20153 Jul 2015

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Engineering and Computer Science
Volume2218
ISSN (Print)2078-0958

Conference

Conference2015 World Congress on Engineering, WCE 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period1/07/153/07/15

Keywords

  • Equivalent dioxide carbon emissions
  • Life cycle inventory assessment
  • Ore concentration process
  • Platinum group metals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science (miscellaneous)

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