Reviewing energy efficiency and environmental consciousness in the minerals industry Amidst digital transition: A comprehensive review

Qamar Uz Zaman, Yuhuan Zhao, Shah Zaman, Kiran Batool and Rabiya Nasir

Resources Policy, 2024, vol. 91, issue C

Abstract: The mining industry has long grappled with the digital transformation challenge, partly due to its historically conservative nature. Much of the discourse revolved around selecting appropriate mining methodologies like striking a balance between ore and waste selectivity, optimization of implementation scales, reducing costs, and adaptation of suitable metallurgical extraction methods. However, the concept of the fourth industrial revolution emerged as a critical factor in determining sustainability, success, and competitiveness within the contemporary mining sector. Therefore, this research aims to provide an overview of the digital transformation within the minerals and extractive industry, specifically focusing on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The current research explored geological factors that impact mining selectivity and technologies designed for waste rejection. Environmentally friendly approaches, such as using tunnel-boring machinery or non-explosive techniques, aid in ore fragmentation explored in this research that help reduce energy consumption during mineral processing and enhance mineral recovery. Additionally, this research deeps dive into the adoption of low-water-consumption automated ore-waste sorting systems. In this regard, selective mining leaching through the percolation of coarse particles offers an alternative approach for processing complex low-grade ores. Moreover, the assessment of new technological frontiers in the mineral sector has been done in the current research. The amalgamation of these processes promises a substantial reduction in mining waste. Furthermore, this research concludes that various factors such as orebody characteristics, the selection of mining techniques and equipment, the intended implementation scales, adherence to circular strategies, ore extraction efficiency, and socio-economic considerations influence the development and implementation of novel technologies and methods in the mining industry.

Keywords: Industrial revolution; Digital transformation; Environmentally friendly approaches; Selective mining percolation; Mining industry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:91:y:2024:i:c:s0301420724002186

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.104851

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