Climate Impact of China’s Promotion of the Filling Mining Method: Bottom-Up Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Underground Metal Mines

Yang Liu, Congrui Zhang, Yingying Huang, Zhixiong Xiao, Yaxuan Han and Gaofeng Ren
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Yang Liu: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Congrui Zhang: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Yingying Huang: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Zhixiong Xiao: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Yaxuan Han: Minmetals Hanxing Mining Co., Ltd., Handan 056000, China
Gaofeng Ren: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: China recently implemented a “Green Mine” policy focused on promoting the filling method, aiming to mitigate the environmental impacts of underground mining; nevertheless, quantitative inventories have rarely been provided to support or negate such promotion, especially from a life-cycle perspective. Accordingly, this paper proposes a bottom-up model for estimating life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from underground metal mines using either filling or caving methods. Two filling-based (Luohe and Longtangyan) and two caving-based (Maogong and Xiaowanggou) iron mines were studied; their direct GHG emissions were 0.576, 0.278, 2.130, and 1.425 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per kiloton-extracted ore (t CO 2 eq/kt), respectively. When indirect GHG emissions were considered, the results increased to 17.386, 15.211, 5.554, and 5.602 t CO 2 eq/kt, respectively. In contrast to popular belief, such results demonstrate that promoting the filling method can potentially raise the overall GHG emissions. Although filling-based projects generate less direct GHG emissions, the emissions are transferred to upstream sectors, especially the cement and power sectors. The additional electricity consumption in the haulage and backfilling stages is primarily responsible for the greater GHG emissions occurring in filling-based projects. Some mitigation approaches are suggested, such as backfilling the subsidence pit, using industrial waste as cementing materials, employing energy-efficient pumps, and further developing hauling systems.

Keywords: underground mining; greenhouse gas emissions; bottom-up; filling method; caving method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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