Life cycle assessment of zircon sand

摘要: To support the needs of downstream users zircon sand and other industry stakeholders, Zircon Industry Association (ZIA) conducted an industry-wide life cycle assessment (LCA) with aim to quantify potential environmental impacts production, from mining separation (zirconium silicate or ZrSiO4). This novel work presents first, globally representative LCA dataset using primary data industry. The study conforms relevant ISO standards is backed up by independent critical review. Data ZIA member companies representing 10 sites for reference year 2015 were collected. In total, more than 77% global production was covered in this study. All routes (i.e. wet dry mining) considered investigation, as well all major concentration plants sand–producing regions world Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal USA). As it common practise metal industry, mass allocations applied regard by-products (Santero Hendry, Int J Life Cycle Assess 21:1543–1553, Santero Hendry 2016) where economic allocation only if high-valued metals like PGMs are separated a process flow. A sensitivity analysis used understand relevance contributing effect impact (LCIA) results, power consumption. It shown that main contributor categories (between 65 90% compared mineral plant). For example, energy demand (PED) warming (GWP) contribute 76% 70%, respectively, 1 kg sand. PED calculated be 4 MJ, whereas GWP 0.32 kg CO2 equivalent per kg influencing factor electricity conformity standards, review, quantified associated (ZrSiO4). With study, sound has been provided. first ZIA.