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

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.