(9)Life Cycle Assessment of Iron Ore Production in Brazil: A Case Study

摘要

Iron mining is an important role in Brazil's economy. In 2013, Brazil exported 329,6Mt of ore mining, an amount of US$ 32.5 million. Mining sector has a relevant consumption of resources and consequently a high level of greenhouse gas emissions, effluents and solid waste. So it is very important to make an assessment of the sector with regard to environmental issues, making it necessary to understand, quantify and qualify the resources input, wastes and emissions generated. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), environmental management tool that identifies the environmental aspects and assesses the environmental impacts associated with products throughout their life cycle, from cradle to gate. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the environmental impacts associated with the iron pellet production. Through a case study in a Brazilian company producing iron ore pellets, using the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based on ISO 14040 standards. The methodology which includes four steps starting from goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory analysis, to life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. The study has extended to the entire life cycle of iron pellet, which includes mining, beneficiation, transportation and pelletizing processes. According to the results obtained for the damage categories Human Health, Ecosystems and Resources the most relevant impact categories are, respectively: Particulate Matter (92.8%), Ecosystem Climate Change (60.8%) and Mineral Depletion (93.5%). LCA presents beneficial insights to the mining industry as it seeks to develop environmental management and environmentally sustainable projects.